Rufus Catch-All

[misstrust]

Comments

[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?

[misstrust]

Who do I need to speak with?

[soulus]

You can try the gravity expert.

[misstrust]

[ ... Ochako.

Lord, does Rufus ever use anyone's name? ]

I'll look into it.

[ A pause. ]

That chest we found-- were you happy about that?

[soulus]

. . . Gold is money.

[misstrust]

Yes, I know.

[ But at the same time, he doesn't appear to be as content about it as she would have thought. ]

[soulus]

I enjoy counting it.

[misstrust]

... Well, I can't deny that there's something calming about it.

[soulus]

Yes. While we're here, I'll just have to keep counting between exchanges.

[misstrust]

That's fair. Was it enough to keep you busy counting for a while?

[ Look. Dorothy was... unconscious. She has no idea everything that was in that chest. ]

[soulus]

. . . I haven't finished.

[misstrust]

... [ A low whistle. ]

Shall I let you return to it?

[soulus]

[He sits there for a moment, seeming to weigh his options before he pockets the coin and slides out of the stool.]

I will apprise you of any developments later.

[misstrust]

I understand. Until then, Rufus.

[ Good talk. ]