Rufus Catch-All

[misstrust]

Comments

[soulus]

. . . What is it?

[misstrust]

I'm tired, Rufus.

[ There's a lot in that simple admittance, and maybe it's just a very obvious statement, but Dorothy says it anyway. Because she's tired on so many levels, of so many things. ]

And before you ask, no-- it's not going to keep me standing still. And I won't run from it. I'm sure the others feel the same, in their own way.

[soulus]

[Coming from Dorothy, it's certainly a lot. If she feels that way, though, he has nothing to add.]

Then there's only one way left to go.

[misstrust]

Forward, I know.

[ No matter what that looks like, at the very end of it. ]

[soulus]

In deference to our agreement, I will not hesitate once you've moved.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy finally looks at him, a weary sort of amusement in her eyes. ]

You don't strike me as the hesitating sort, regardless of an agreement or not.

[soulus]

[Their eyes meet.]

The agreement ensures that as fact.

[misstrust]

[ Stop targeting me, specifically, with them looking at each other-- ]

Then I'm glad we made it.

[soulus]

[There's a beat before he tears his gaze away, taking a step toward the boardwalk as he does.]

Our goal is to gather nova, after all.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy turns her head to watch-- then will carefully move her crutches to hobble after him if he keeps going. Wow, she hates sand. ]

We're almost there. Thanks for all of your hard work.

[ Rufus really does not like interaction. ]

[soulus]

[He does keep going. Once it's apparent that Dorothy intends to follow, he slows down a smidgen.]

Was it hard?

[misstrust]

[ Thanks, Rufus. Dorothy shoots him a grateful smile, but doesn't comment on it. ]

There were several times you seemed uncomfortable with it, that's all.

[soulus]

. . . When did I look uncomfortable?

[misstrust]

I wouldn't necessarily say you looked uncomfortable... more that there seemed to be some manner of tension about you.

[ Dorothy stumbles a little as one crutch slips in the sand but catches her balance. ]

The ball, for instance.

[soulus]

[Dorothy's capable of taking care of herself. Rufus doesn't lift a finger in her aid.]

The ball wasn't especially special.

[misstrust]

[ A gentleman. But he's right, she's fine. ]

You had "I'd rather not be here but if I must" in your eyes for the majority of it.

[ God, she hates sand. ]

But you seem like you prefer quieter moments, anyway.

[soulus]

I prefer to move around. I only stayed, because of the potential for gathering nova.

[misstrust]

Admittedly, you can't really do all that much traveling around here. I sometimes feel a little restless, myself.

[ Though also she has a broken leg, and nothing makes you hate sitting quietly than a broken leg ]

[soulus]

Have you already seen the entirety of this area?

[misstrust]

Almost! Obviously I didn't see the entirety of the beach, or get too close to the ocean. I haven't gone on all the rides either, though I did at least see what they were.

[ Dorothy loves to explore, what can she say-- ]

[soulus]

I'm moving away from the ocean. Why don't you stay and look around?

[misstrust]

I have all week for that.

[ Matter-of-factly. ]

And if it's between looking around the beach and spending time with my favorite Haros, I'd choose to bother you with my presence every time.

[soulus]

Do you know any other Haros?

[misstrust]

I've seen them in your memory. [ Well, she saw his dad? ]

But if you insist, you're also my favorite drinking partner and my favorite person with pointed ears, though please don't tell the twins and Alphinaud.

[soulus]

Why would I tell them something like that? There are better uses of my time.