RUFUS CATCH-ALL

[robopriest]

Comments

[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.]

[robopriest]

[.............?]

[?????????????????????????????????]

[Hansa just. Blinks. Is this a joke? Is this happening right now? Hansa lifts a hand and just...starts patting the other's head? Wait, why is he doing that? Well, at least his hair is nice and soft.]

Uh. Rufus...?

[soulus]

[Rufus exhales through his nose, even as his arms tighten gently around Hansa.

This is a joke. Stop touching his head. It's too familiar.]

Please pay it no mind, and I will return the favor.

[robopriest]

[Yeah, this is bizarre. Appreciate how solid Hansa's torso is, Rufus, while Hansa just stares down, perplexed, as he keeps petting the other's hair.]

Sure, I won't. I don't really understand what's happening. It's like I'm moving on my own.

[he shouldn't say it he shouldn't say it he shouldn't say it he shouldn't say it-]

But.................I didn't know I'd be petting two cute cats for the price of one.

[kill him now]

[soulus]

[He frowns, but doesn't say anything.

That is, until after a protracted moment . . . ]

That's a wolf.

[robopriest]

...It is?

[oh my god??]

Wolves are supposed to be large animals, though? Are they that small where you come from?

[soulus]

He's not fully grown.

[He shifts, and it looks like he's about to pull bac—no, he just shifted to make himself more comfortable. Wonderful.]

But they're self-sufficient creatures.

[robopriest]

[....Yeah, he's definitely going to mentally put this moment away to bother Rufus about it later.]

[Just going to keep petting his head, a little slower this time.]

...Sounds a lot like you, huh?

[soulus]

[Stop petting.]

When you have expectations, you set yourself up for betrayal.

[robopriest]

[He can't. Darn affectionate curse thing.]

I don't know. Lots of good things can come too in response to your expectations. If you don't open doors, the Lord can't come to meet you. Something like that.

[soulus]

[Hiss.]

Then it's fortunate that I have no plans to meet the Lord.

[robopriest]

That's fine. I'm like an intermediary. You're like halfway there.

[soulus]

I'd rather not be there at all.

[robopriest]

Toooo bad.

[A beat.]

So, have you got your hug quota for the week, yet?

[soulus]

[The worst part is that it's only Tuesday.

Somehow, the words have a mystifying effect on the urge. His arms relax just a tad. He hasn't fully let go, but he's getting there.]

. . . Not yet. It should be over soon.

[robopriest]

Alright. Take all the time you need, I guess. Though I'm not exactly the best for hugs.

[Way too strangely solid, and all.]

Your hair's right for petting, though. Maybe you should make that a service. Get some extra cash or whatever you need.

[soulus]

[Rufus won't question it.]

Then should I back charge you?

[robopriest]

[He chuckles at that.]

Sure. Why not. Its the least I can do for messing up your hair.

[soulus]

[Hair is just hair. He thinks about this with a frown when his arms give enough for him to pull back several inches.]

I will not charge you this time. But if it happens again . . .

[robopriest]

Very generous of you. And yeah, it won't happen again. I have to resist temptation as a priest, remember?

[He finally gives a couple more pats, and then..he finally draws his hand back.]

[soulus]

[Then it reasons that he can give into temptation all he wants as a demon, yes? But that seems to turn the key in the metaphorical lock. The weight of Hansa's hand leaves his head, and Rufus draws back entirely. Finally.

The question is, how long will they have to resist?]

When do you suppose this will end?

[robopriest]

[A shrug! Well, at least its done. That was....odd.]

What will end? This strange hugging thing we went through? This whole competition in another world? You have to be specific, Rufus.