Rufus Catch-All

[misstrust]

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[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. ]