RUFUS CATCH-ALL

[robopriest]

Comments

[robopriest]

Even you?

[soulus]

. . . Of course.

[robopriest]

And what did you do, exactly, to think that way?

[soulus]

No vote was certain. The wide split is proof that we failed to perform adequately as a party.

[robopriest]

...

Who did you vote for, Rufus?

[soulus]

I voted against the majority.

[robopriest]

Ha. Same here.

I knew Kano couldn't have done it.

[soulus]

All he did was waste time.

[robopriest]

...He wanted it, deep down, Rufus. Of course he wasted time.

[soulus]

[He frowns. While he doesn't appear so sympathetic, he wisely holds his tongue.]

[robopriest]

Next time, we can't jump at the first person who looks suspicious. Not that I need to tell you, since I'm sure you know that from last week.

[soulus]

And this week?

[Nobody should need telling after that, but people are just so full of surprises.]

[robopriest]

This week too, but I was more or less talking about you being under suspicion. Which also should never have happened.

[soulus]

No. It was the first trial, and the injuries were a match to the culprit and target both. It would have been stupid not to suspect me.

[robopriest]

...

[:/]

I was trying to be nice, but...yeah. Sure. You have a point.

[soulus]

I would prefer to keep the facts straight than to play nice.

[robopriest]

I was trying to be nice to you.

[RUFUS...]

[soulus]

Naturally, that extends to you as well.

[Don't be nice to him.]

[robopriest]

I can do what I want, Rufus. I'm a free priest, after all.

[soulus]

Then do as you please—as long as it does not distort the truth.

[robopriest]

Distort what truth? That you're not a bad guy to be around, despite your eternal love of money?

[soulus]

. . . That's just your opinion.

[robopriest]

Gathered from fact.

[soulus]

What fact?

[robopriest]

That you're nice to talk to.

[is he. is he really]