Rufus Catch-All

[misstrust]

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[misstrust]

[ Dorothy also stays quiet as she studies him, gaze lowering only briefly to his left arm. She's noticed the lines before, but it hadn't struck her that it's not technically his own.

And he'd lost it twice? ]

You're really something else, you know that?

[soulus]

That overgrown lizard was in dire need of a lesson on rampaging.

[At this point it may be personal.]

[misstrust]

And do you think it learned?

[soulus]

If he hasn't, I'll give him even less than my arm next time.

[misstrust]

[ A very soft snort. ]

Yes, I imagine that will teach him.

Still...

[ She huffs, just a little. ]

I almost wish he could have learned from you, in that regard.

[ Rufus lost his whole-ass arm. Compared to that, her father had done absolutely nothing to improve his circumstances.

Pathetic, indeed, even as the thought makes her frown. ]

[soulus]

[He pauses. It takes a moment for him to gather whom Dorothy is referencing.]

That way of thinking is too wistful. Your father was incapable of learning.

[Recognizing the problem, yet continuing to give in and beat his daughter with nothing to blame but his own insecurity—there was no will to be found there.]

[misstrust]

I know. There's no sense in thinking about the past, anyway. You can only change what's right in front of you.

[ No matter how much she remembers happier times. No matter how much she still unconsciously hums their song. ]

[soulus]

[He holds her gaze for a while.]

. . . Yes. No matter how much you may want it, you can't change nor relive the past.

[misstrust]

[ Rufus, why are you meaningfully staring into her eyes, are we having a moment-- ]

... Are you telling that to me, or reminding both of us?

[soulus]

[Sure.

It doesn't last. His eyes shift aside.]

What an absurd question.

[misstrust]

Mm-hm, you're free to treat it as one. But you've never once regretted or wanted to change something?

[ Well, he's under no obligation to answer her, though. She knows that. ]

[soulus]

I don't have time to waste on wishful thinking.

[misstrust]

Ah, right. You did say your only wish was one you'd grant yourself.

[ And it was deep and motivational and murderous. ]

[soulus]

[The plants in his line of sight fade out of view as his gaze grows distant and furious at the reminder.]

I'll kill him . . . No matter how many memories I lose . . .

[He won't forget this anger. He will never forget.]

[misstrust]

[ Oops.

Dorothy wisely does not ask what if he loses the memory of wanting to kill whoever this is, because that would be a stupid question.

Instead, she merely watches him. And nods.

He doesn't need her affirmation, but she figures it's fine if he knows she's listening. ]

[soulus]

[Movement in the corner of his eyes snaps him back to reality. Dorothy. Rufus closes his eyes, then opens them.]

Our business has concluded.

Excuse me.

[He turns away to leave.]

[misstrust]

[ She won't stop him. ]

Thank you, for sharing with me.

[ Be on your way, Rufus. ]