[open] one day i slowly floated away

[daredtobelieve]

It's almost as if Helen never left, or at least it feels that way to her. In fact, in all the time that Helen was gone, she only experienced a single day, from her perspective. And that day had been spent in a mirror version of this Chicago, where no one knew she existed

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[thesoundofblood]

Rufus never forgets a face. Especially if they've been to one of his parties. Speaking of parties, he's a little hung over right now. Which is why he's in this cafe. Having just purchased a large and extremely sugary coffee, he heads out with his sunglasses still on.

And he spies her waiting in line and raises his eyebrows. He remembers speaking to Helen at the Midsummer Night's Dream shindig he hosted.

"Helen, m'dear," he says, stopping, a bright grin on his face, "Long time no see,"

[daredtobelieve]

Helen turns her head just slightly, relieved to hear someone speaking her name, since yesterday she felt like she was introducing herself all over again roughly a hundred times. Rufus, unfortunately, had been someone that she had bumped into, and thus Helen's expression is a mix of confusion and annoyance.

"Oh, quite. A whole ten or so hours, by my count. Seems as though your memory has returned, or do you simply recall our encounter from yesterday evening?"

Still in line, Helen places her hands on her hips and arches an eyebrow, shifting slightly as the line progresses.

[thesoundofblood]

Rufus frowns for a moment, his jaw slackened at the expression he's given. Huh? He pauses for a moment, actually wondering what on earth's going on. No... more time has passed. He's not been that drunk.

He talks a long sip from his coffee and shakes his head.

"... I think you might be a little confused, hun," he says, tilting his head to the side, still frowning, "I ain't seen you in some months now,"

[daredtobelieve]

"That's very funny. Hilarious, even. Between the amnesia act yesterday and now this? I'd say you should take this show on the road." By now, she's come to her turn in line. She orders and steps aside.

"I'd suggest laying off the drink, but it wasn't just you. The whole bloody city up and forgot about me yesterday. Is the Rift known for that? Singling a person out like that with no warning?"

[thesoundofblood]

Rufus is still frowning. He raises his free hand in defense, "Hey, hey, sweetie. I've got no idea what you're talking about, yeah?" he says with a shake of his head, his tone uncharacteristically serious, "I haven't seen you since the shindig, I swear,"

And he's raising his eyebrows again, his face showing mock-shock. He disapproves very much, he lives to party and enjoy life thank you very much. And no one shall make him do otherwise!

"Mee-ow," he utters, "Well, uh, not an expert on all of that, sweet pea. But from what I've heard - it's probably possible,"

[daredtobelieve]

She huffs out her frustration, snatching her tea from the barista before turning back to Rufus.

"It's all rather uncivilized, if you ask me. Why can't this place leave well enough alone?" She sighs and walks past him to a table near the window, sitting herself down and looking down at the paper she bought. She glances back to Rufus almost immediately.

"Is this date right?" She points to the paper. "That can't be right... can it?"

[thesoundofblood]

"It's why I came back really," Rufus says with a small smirk, more or less to himself, rather than to Helen, "Sounded like a blast,"

He watches her sit down and after a few moments, sighs and heads over. Sliding into a chair opposite her, he takes another sip of his coffee and nods.

"September third. Yep," he says with a nod. "So... you've been somewhere else for the last few months and only a day's passed for you?" He pauses to rub at his beard with one hand, frowning slightly.

"Well, the world didn't end," he says with a smile.

Tact? What is that?

[daredtobelieve]

"So it would seem..." She trails off, a small headache forming behind her eyes. Exhaling sharply, she reaches up and rubs the bridge of her nose. "An alternate universe moving that slowly. I'd find it fascinating if it weren't so... bloody infuriating."

She runs a hand through her hair, pushing it out of her face and lets out a huff. "Yes, I can see that everything is in one piece." She looks back up at him and finds herself smiling slightly. His attitude is a bit contagious. "And I see you've survived the last few months. I'm glad to hear it."

[thesoundofblood]

Rufus frowns, a sympathetic look on his face. He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a bottle of asprin that he's had with him to help his hangover. Offering it, he tilts his head to the side, "Or, maybe you've done some kind of time jump," he suggests. Yeah, probably not helping, Rufus.

"Exactly, so no real harm done, eh?" he says with a nod.

"Of course!" he says cheerily, winking, "When I've lived this long, there's no way I'd not survive a few more measly months. Even if you're living in apocalypse city,"

He shrugs, still grinning, "Well, I've been in New York mostly. Simply amazing nightlife. All play and no work makes Rufus a very happy boy,"

[daredtobelieve]

She takes the bottle and twists it open, shaking out two pills and downing them with her tea.

"Thank you." She hands the bottle back before laughing at his next response. "Oh, I have no doubt. I've had my own walk about the Big Apple in my day." She manages a bit of mischief in her comment, only hinting at what she might mean there.

[thesoundofblood]

Rufus takes the bottle back with a toothy grin, "No problemo, my dear," he says, twisting it open once more and downing a few with a gulp of coffee. This hangover will go away, he is sure of it.

Stowing the bottle back into his pocket, his eyebrows raise at that. "Oh, really?" he asks, leaning in a little, stilling grinning - especially at the mischief in her tone, "Well don't leave me hangin' - spill!"

Because he loves to hear all these stories, not matter how shameful or drunken. Seriously.

[daredtobelieve]

"There isn't enough time to tell every story, I assure you. But I can tell you that I know my way around a speak easy." As in the secret bars during the 20s? Yeah, Helen's been around. "And there was the time that I got caught up in a massive bootleg liquor debacle." She gestures and rolls her eyes, recalling how silly the whole thing had been.

"I've found that cities in America are lovely to visit, but I prefer to keep my home elsewhere. Until now."

[thesoundofblood]

"My dear, when you live as long as I do, there is plenty of time," and Rufus grins, listening intently. When she mentions the twenties, he lights up - he didn't think Wanderers lived that long! And Helen's look very good for her age, he must say.

"Ahh, the twenties. I remember them so well," he says with a hint of nostalgia. "I was just a young thing myself, but yes - as silly as they were - they were also good, roaring fun,"

Rufus chuckles, "They are!" he agrees, "But I do understand what you mean, yes,"

[daredtobelieve]

Oh, she's lived through much more than that. Stick around, Rufus- maybe she'll tell you a few more stories, if you're lucky.

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" It's almost as if Helen can find something in common with just about anyone.