Rufus Catch-All

[misstrust]

Comments

[soulus]

. . . We fulfilled one term of our agreement . . . but another will have to give in its place.

[misstrust]

Well, we both expected that. I can't live if I'm found guilty.

[ And Dorothy had known that as well as Rufus had. ]

[soulus]

Is there anyone here who's innocent?

[misstrust]

Probably one or three of us.

[ Which isn't saying much, but she shrugs lightly. ]

It stopped being about morals from the very beginning, anyway.

[soulus]

. . . With this, all teams should have cleared their requirements.

[misstrust]

Which means we're one step closer to ending this for good.

[ Dorothy's quiet for a few more seconds. ]

But it looks like our agreement is going to come to an end here.

[soulus]

No.

The requirements were to retrieve the removed. You will still be alive to pay me once the Realm has stabilized.

[misstrust]

A temporary postponement, then?

[ Communication might be difficult, from what she's learned of it between the dead and the living. ]

[soulus]

I have agreements on that side as well.

[misstrust]

... Well, goodness! Knowing that, I don't feel very special at all now.

[ She is absolutely not being serious. ]

[soulus]

That has nothing to do with it.

[She knows that, too.]

[misstrust]

Permit me my theatrics, at least for a bit tonight.

[ This punk. ]

Even if it's only a temporary thing, I am still going to die tomorrow in some undoubtedly gruesome fashion.

[soulus]

It won't be the first time you've died . . .

[misstrust]

Yes, and back then... well, you were the first to die, so you wouldn't have known.

[ How absolutely terrified and devastated Dorothy had been at the time. ]

I'm not looking forward to having an audience of familiar faces for it, either.

But I suppose I also have no right to complain.

[ She did this. She accepted it. And she's been reassuring everyone who's visited her that she's fine with it, in the face of upset expressions, hopeful wishes and tears. ]

[soulus]

[None of them has the right to complain.]

Would you prefer that we look away?

[misstrust]

If I thought that people would, yes.

[ But she very much doubts they will. ]

[soulus]

. . . Then I will avert my gaze.

[misstrust]

... Thank you.

[ Hopefully this doesn't make people think Rufus is an asshole for refusing to even look at Dorothy dying tomorrow ]

[soulus]

I'm merely following your request. There's nothing to thank.

[misstrust]

It's not a term in the agreement and it's not something you're asking payment for.

So yes, I think "thank you" can still apply.

[soulus]

Why don't we make it a mutual agreement?

In exchange for my turning away, please do not look back.

[misstrust]

... That's what you want?

[soulus]

Is there a problem?

[misstrust]

No, I can agree to that... it just surprised me.

[soulus]

Then it's decided.

Is there anything else you would like to discuss before I go?