RUFUS CATCH-ALL

[robopriest]

Comments

Week 5: Tuesday

[soulus]

[It's noon.

They never coordinated a location to meet, so Rufus sits in the lobby of the inn. It's less private than his assigned room and not nearly as public as wandering outside. The miniature wolf accompanying him for the week sits next to him while he seemingly waits with the PHS in his hands.]

[robopriest]

And here's the man of the hour himself.

[And here Hansa comes up, with a pretty sizable paper bag, and a wolf of his own trotting at his heels, though this one has an eyepatch like him. He offers the bag.]

[If Rufus should take it, he should find:

- a heated can of drinkable tomato soup
- a peanut and butter jelly sandwich
- a bottle of some kind of soda
- an apple
- a twinkie-equivalent pastry]

Hope its to your liking.

[soulus]

[He takes it, of course. Peering inside the bag, he frowns mildly.]

This is excessive.

[Beside him, the wolf watches Hansa and his wolf.]

[robopriest]

I don't know, I think its the right amount of stuff.

[Hansa's wolf just looks between the two of them, before approaching Rufus' wolf, sniffing at it gently.]

Now you'll be well fed.

[soulus]

[She eyes the wolf blankly, then moves in to sniff exactly once.]

Are you saying that I haven't been eating well?

[robopriest]

I don't know. Are you?

[He says, lightly. His wolf gives her tail a single wag.]

[soulus]

I eat as much as I need.

[This wolf's tail, on the other hand, remains in place as she stares, watching.]

[robopriest]

That's good. Doing bounty hunting must be hard work. Can't do that on an empty stomach.

[And a pause.]

Do you mind if I sit?

[soulus]

[The bag crinkles softly in his grasp. Well, it's lunchtime. He reaches inside the paper bag to indicate that he'll be here for a while.]

Do as you please.

[robopriest]

[He does so, moving to sit right by Rufus. The wolf, in turn, moves to sit right next to Rufus' wolf, again wagging its tail. Hansa lets out a low sigh, leaning back on the couch.]

Hard to believe its been five weeks, huh.

[soulus]

[The wolf follows her new companion, never once taking her eyes off of it.]

Five weeks are close to nothing. This much is expected.

[robopriest]

Time flies when you're having fun, I guess.

[He says, dryly.]

Hey, I'm curious. What's the longest job you ever had?

[soulus]

[He pulls out the sandwich.]

I don't remember the exact length . . . but it was on the world of Aernas. My return to the Underworld was further delayed after the job.

[robopriest]

Delayed? Why?

[The wolf perks up her head, curiously looking up at Rufus.]

What happened?

[soulus]

[It's a moment before Rufus answers, because he's taken a bite of the sandwich.]

I decided to go elsewhere first. All I found was an unexpected reward.

[The wolf looks away from Hansa's creature then, resting her head on her paws and closing her eyes.]

[robopriest]

A...good reward?

[Rewards are usually good, right?]

[His wolf prods the other lightly with her snout.]

[soulus]

[The wolf opens her eyes, but otherwise does not react.]

I ran into an escaped prisoner from the Underworld. I seized his soul for the bounty.

[robopriest]

[The wolf is just going to...rest her entire head on the other, lightly, huffing.]

How nice. A little extra payment, right? That must have been a good day for you.

[soulus]

[There's a huff, but she allows it.]

Yes . . . Extra payment is always good.

[robopriest]

And then after that, you returned home with your spoils...

I wonder. Can you claim the entirety of your bounty, or is there a fee or something you have to pay?

[soulus]

Is that important? In the end, I'm still paid.

[robopriest]

Even if you get less of it, if there's a fee? It doesn't matter?

[soulus]

No. Referral fees are to be expected.

[robopriest]

...

[A sigh.]

What a thankless thing...referral fees. You deserve more than what you get, Rufus.

[soulus]

[He swallows another bite of the sandwich.]

Why do you say that?