<knock, knock>

“Mistress, have you a moment?”

“I am temporarily free. Come, and close the door. Sit down. What can I do for you, Professor?”

He settled himself into the overstuffed chair in front of her desk. “There’s a personal… not quite a problem, per se. But… something I wish to talk with you about.”

“Everyone seems to be developing personal issues lately and fantasizing that they are my concern. Let me guess… it’s about Beatrice?”

“How did you…”

“Know? She was in that chair yesterday to confess her ‘problem’ to me. Perhaps I’m not telling tales out of school too much if I assure you that I did my best to dissuade her from nurturing her feelings for you. I think she’s seen it my way.”

“I… no… it’s the other way ‘round.”

“Again?”

“I’ve come to solicit advice about my feelings. For her.”

Mistress leaned far back into her chair and wordlessly regarded the Professor through half-closed eyes. Finally she said, “You surprise me at last.”

“I know, I know. I should know better. I can see the problems such an… infatuation would create. And inevitable tragedy. So, I thought you might have advice. I’ve never been like this before.”

“And now you’ve surprised me once again in the space of two minutes. This is your first… crush?”

“I believe that is an accepted word for it.”

“Aaand… now I’ve let her cat slip out of the bag for you…”

“Maybe not entirely. I’ve felt that… imagined that she might be attracted… or flirting?… with me. And maybe that’s why I’ve begun feeling this way.”

“Keep talking.”

“Women around me have always been strong types. Self confident. Needed no one. Beatrice… she’s different. As vampire, she’s more powerful than any female I’ve ever known and yet… she was, still is, fragile and needful. She makes me feel like… well, I can’t describe it without… without feeling silly.”

“Hmmm…perhaps I was incorrect. This is not your first crush.”

“Not…”

“This is your first time being daddy.”

“Eh?”

“I handed you a sad, little kitten with the potential of being a lioness and you’re overwhelmed with urges to nurture her. She was stolen young, you know, and now she’s found the daddy she didn’t have. I think you’re both misreading your feelings as romance. You’re attracted, but not that way.”

“What should I do?”

“You should not mistake this for a love affair. You’re a doting daddy and she’s the daughter you never had. I urge you to see it that way. Encourage the same in her, as well. I will do what I can to help you.”

“Thank you, Mistress, I… feel…”

“Foolish. Yes. Now get on with your work and being all fatherly-like, okay? I can’t spend all my time interceding in playground passions. On your way out, please send Alexadropof in, will you?”

Alexadropof was outside the door as the Professor left the Mistress’s office. They nodded as they passed. Alexadropof quietly closed the door behind him before addressing the Mistress.

“Our Professor seemed rather pensive just now.”

“Yes, apparently even he thinks I should play the part of House Mother in a coed dorm.”

“Were you able to set him right?”

“I told him what I think he needed to hear. I’m not sure it was entirely the truth.”