misstrust | Rufus Catch-All

[Rupe is of the mind that he's chewed on the plush enough. He watches Dorothy from Rufus' side, unblinking.

As for Rufus, it takes a while for the answer to sink in. Once it does, he frowns.]

I see. That's someone you know.

[ Dorothy stays (uncharacteristically) quiet for a moment or several, the plush dangling loosely from her hand as she gazes at nothing in particular. ]

So it is.

[There's a beat, then another when he offers curtly:]

If you dislike it that much, just get rid of it.

That's what I've been trying to do. I just didn't want anyone seeing me trying to cram it into a garbage pail and with the way people have been encouraged to investigate, simply tossing it somewhere won't do me much good either.

[ Hence. Chew toy. ]

There's a stove in the kitchen.

[Immolate it.]

Sharon practically lives in the kitchen.

[ And she's run into so many people there today. It's a problem. ]

I don't see the problem.

... You don't see the problem with my flinging a doll into the oven in front of someone. You really don't see the problem?

[ Rufus... RUFUS. ]

Everyone else seems to have some kind of strong attachment to their gifts, I think me wanting to rid myself of mine so vigorously is only going to invite questions!

It will, of course. But you can ignore them.

[He's a man.]

[ He sure is a man. ]

There are already too many hassles in this day to willingly give myself another one. Can't you just convince him to take it back as a toy?

[ Dorothy very clearly has it out for this poor doll to the point where she refuses to even look at it. Wow, what did it do to deserve this. ]

[The opportunity dangles in front of him and he seizes it.]

I will take care of it . . . for a price.

[He has no qualms with setting a doll on fire in front of Sharon.]

[ Her hero(????)

By which I mean, Dorothy just studies him warily, because she's pretty sure they discussed the whole problem of not having money and-- ]

What price?

As the requester, I will allow you to decide before I accept.

[She knows better than him just how much the doll means to her, for better or for worse.]

Information is a valuable asset.

You know that for the most part, we're largely in the same boat regarding what we know, right? And I doubt you're interested in anything about me before we were brought here.

[ Granted, it's not a flat-out no. ]

Of course, I could always educate you in something a little more pleasurable--

[ It's Rufus, though. ]

[True to her judgment, he makes absolutely no comment on that offer.]

It doesn't have to be now.

[He can add to her current tab.]

In the event you're unable to pay here, you can always make your payment once we've returned to our respective worlds.

... Sorry?

[ Wait, what-- ]

Can you actually travel to other worlds? Or is that just you telling me that you're going to wait until I'm a soul wandering in the underworld...

Bounty hunters are able to cross worlds. I'm certain I can arrange a way to yours . . . if the payment is worth the travel expense.

Well, money won't be an issue in my own world...

[ Hm. ]

All right, then.

That's good news.

[He holds his hand out. The doll, if she'd please.]

[ And she places it there with a tired sigh. ]

Good riddance, Dad.

[He pauses, then looks down at the doll in his hand.]

This is your father.

[ And that beautiful (no) face stares back at him. Dorothy clearly took entirely after her mother. ]

An approximation of him, yes.

[ And she lifts an eyebrow. Say something about it, she dares you. ]

[That's the only confirmation he needs. All he says is this as he closes his fingers around the doll with no regard for its condition:]

I will dispose of it.

[ This poor doll did nothing wrong.

But Dorothy peers at him for a few seconds, as though she's unsure how to respond to that-- which is silly, because he's just confirming what they already agreed upon. Finally... ]

Thank you. I'll keep my end of the bargain.

[Now that the doll's in his possession, Rupe takes renewed interest in it as he rears up on his hind legs to give it a sniff. Rufus doesn't give it to him.]

I will inform you once the task is complete.

[And if that's all, he'll be on his way to get it done as soon as possible.]

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misstrust - 2020-10-03 13:04 (UTC) - Expand