Rufus Catch-All

[misstrust]

Comments

[soulus]

[There's nothing to forgive, so he says nothing to that.]

Is there a benefit to knowing who's on the same team?

[misstrust]

I'd personally like to know. If some people are intent on taking this competition seriously, they might view other faction members as their allies rather than someone they might want to murder.

[ Another method of protecting herself. ]

[soulus]

Between all the limitations, it could take weeks to find everyone.

[misstrust]

And it might. I could be dead by then.

But trying is still better than just shrugging it off as an impossible effort. Besides, what kind of partner would I be if I didn't find out any kind of information for you at all?

[ A lousy one. ]

[soulus]

. . . By that point, you would no longer be a partner.

[misstrust]

Quite right. And I need to learn information as much as you do.

So I'll do what I must to do my part.

[soulus]

Are you aware of the other powers that may be at play?

[misstrust]

Other powers? Beyond the Realm, you mean?

[soulus]

The Leaders have their Realm-given powers; however, at least two participants were influenced by an unknown source last week.

[misstrust]

...

[ She blinks, one eyebrow lifting. ] Influenced in what way?

[soulus]

In the case of one, insults would become compliments when spoken.

[misstrust]

Well, that's not too terrible.

[ Maybe for the person forced to do it. ]

[soulus]

The effect itself is minor. The bigger question is what caused it.

[misstrust]

You're certain it wasn't due to something like one of the rewards?

[soulus]

It started on Wednesday, before the rewards were delivered.

[misstrust]

... Hm.

[ Honestly, that's a valid point. ]

Do you know what the other effect was?

[soulus]

No. I wasn't witness to that one.

[misstrust]

I'll see what more I can find out on that front. If there's some manner of third party, it's not something we can or should ignore.

[ She moves the ice to check the bump-- then winces as her fingers just ghost over it and back to the bump the ice goes. ]

[soulus]

[He watches her without making unnecessary comments. All things considered, she got off lucky.]

There's one more thing.

[misstrust]

[ Yes, she could have gotten stabbed in the leg via bird projectile vomiting.

Dorothy glances his way, one eyebrow lifted expectantly. Yes, go on. She's listening. ]

[soulus]

[The shovel could've dug into her head and killed her instantly. Or she could've been knocked back into the swamp, unconscious, and drowned.]

Have you seen the Realm Contest Report?

[misstrust]

[ That would have been two horrible ways to die, yes. Poor Rufus would not have gotten paid. ]

The-- no.

[ That sounds different from the rankings? ]

[soulus]

One of the groups who emerged on the bridge retrieved a note detailing a meeting with someone, authored by a Leader. The names have been blotted out. Some of the Leaders believe it was written by Fox.

[misstrust]

And the note mentioned this contest?

... Also, they think Fox wrote it?

[ Dorothy hesitates, then taps her chin, eyes narrowed. ]

That's very interesting...

[soulus]

The participants who found the note made copies. Why don't you read it and verify with your Leader?