Rufus Catch-All

[misstrust]

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Week 3: Monday

[soulus]

[The fact that it's getting dark does nothing for Rufus, who still cannot see. Consequently, he relies on texture and sound to guide himself back to the bridge when the wind carries a familiar tune from nearby. He stops, considers his choices, then turns back around to seek out Dorothy somewhere in the jungle.]

[misstrust]

[ Rufus, no. That is not the bridge. That way has a Dorothy.

A Dorothy, who thankfully, doesn't seem to realize anyone's heading her way, which means the humming will continue until he's close enough for her to spot him.

Huh. He's... not walking too confidently. ]

I'm starting to think you like my company.

[soulus]

[The humming has ceased. He stops.]

I have a request.

[misstrust]

[ That's... also unusual. ]

Yes?

[soulus]

A client is looking for participants for a bonding exercise in the next three days. Are you interested?

[misstrust]

[ That is... so vague. ]

If I say yes, will you tell me what kind of bonding exercise this is supposed to entail?

[soulus]

Of course.

[misstrust]

[ A sigh. ]

Then yes.

[soulus]

It's simple. All you have to do is ask questions to get to know the client.

[misstrust]

And are you participating too?

[soulus]

My part is to refer participants.

[misstrust]

... So someone hired you to find bonding participants?

[ ... Oh, boy. ]

That almost feels a little lazy of them.

[soulus]

They were thinking about it, so I offered to find conversation partners.

[misstrust]

For a price.

[soulus]

. . . Take this to Wolf.

[He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gold coin.]

[misstrust]

[ Instinctively, she holds out her palm. Good luck finding it, Rufus. ]

Is Wolf your client?

[ Rufus?? ]

[soulus]

[He continues to hold it out for her to take.]

Is there a problem?

[misstrust]

No. I'm just a little surprised.

[ ... Okay, she'll just take it. ]

I really thought for a moment you were seeking me out to engage in pleasant bonding conversation.

[ She did not. It would have been nice, but she knows better. ]

[soulus]

[He lowers his hand and angles his head closer to her voice. But, as with this entire encounter, he has yet to make eye contact.]

. . . I followed the song.

[misstrust]

The song...?

[ Dorothy pauses-- half the time, she doesn't even know she's humming it, apparently.

No, wait, more importantly-- it finally clicks. The way he's tilted his head, how he didn't just hand her the coin, how he doesn't stare at her... ]

... You can't see.

[soulus]

No.

[He admits it plainly. It's not something he can hide for long.]

And yourself?

[misstrust]

Just my sense of taste. Annoying, but tolerable.

Will you let me help you back?

[soulus]

I've made it this far on my own . . .

[misstrust]

So you did. You can just tell me no and I won't.

[ You don't have to tell her you're a big boy, Rufus. ]

[soulus]

. . . Are you headed back now?