RUFUS CATCH-ALL

[robopriest]

Comments

Week 0: Tuesday

[soulus]

[The planetarium is new, so it's worth checking out more than once. Rufus is already there with his neck craned to look up at the constellations. Whatever he's seeing, he doesn't appear very impressed nor moved.

Without moving his gaze, he pipes up when Hansa enters.]

Are you here to make a wish?

[robopriest]

Wishes are made on falling stars. None of these stars are falling...yet.

[A light shrug. He glances up at the night sky, his gaze a little wistful.]

Now I'll ask you. Are you here to make a wish?

[soulus]

That seems to be the expectation.

[The note on the wall was very clear.]

[robopriest]

What are you going to wish for? You seem like the type who would wish for lottery numbers.

[soulus]

That's not a bad idea.

[robopriest]

Go for it, then. Nobody's stopping you. Just make sure to ask for winning numbers, though. You don't want duds.

[soulus]

What would I do with them here?

[He dares a glance at Hansa.]

Money isn't everything.

[robopriest]

[He glances back.]

Things of value are everything though, right?

[soulus]

. . . That depends on the type of value.

[robopriest]

Hm. You're right. Value is broad.

[That does remind him of something he saw on the profiles...]

So, does bounty hunting not pay that much?

[soulus]

The requester determines the payment. I only decide whether I accept or decline the contract.

[robopriest]

That's kind of one-sided, isn't it? I mean, they're basically using you. You can't dictate your own terms? It's just accept or decline?

[soulus]

With enough reputation, prices can become negotiable . . . but it's bad business if the client disagrees.

[robopriest]

...

Wait, are you saying that you don't have much reputation?

[soulus]

Didn't you hear what I said? Word of mouth is important for collecting requests. It's bad business if the client takes offense.

[robopriest]

I see.

[Your business lives or dies by your reputation...]

Sounds rough, honestly. Were you always in the profession?

[soulus]

Is that important? I don't see the point of this conversation.

[robopriest]

Well, what are we going to talk about, me? I mean, sure, if you want me to talk about priestly duties and recite Holy Scripture to you for the next half hour, I'll drum some excerpts up.

[soulus]

What do you oversee?

[robopriest]

[That actually nets him a surprised look for a second, before it eases into his customary smirk.]

I don't know...maybe I should ask for payment before giving out that kind of information?

[soulus]

[Just a simple priest, huh.]

If it has no bearing on this place, I have no interest in paying.

[robopriest]

Haha. Who's to say if it does or doesn't?

[But after a beat.]

Its just some relics that belong to the Church. That's what I oversee.

[soulus]

[Pondering payment and then just giving him information for free . . . ]

Including magic cups?

[robopriest]

Who knows?

[He might be giving information, but he's going to be an ass about it.]

[soulus]

[He closes his eyes, ready to dismiss Hansa altogether when the impulse strikes mid inhalation. The urge is so powerful that he moves without a mind of his own. He wordlessly strides through the darkness of the planetarium, up to his conversation partner, and loops his arms around Hansa's torso.]