woofus

[bisouled]

Comments

[soulus]

It's never too late. The distortion hasn't left its mark on the Realm.

[bisouled]

... You really think so?

[ pensive. ]

If we've already changed it once, surely we can change it again. For the better this time.

[soulus]

[That, he thinks as he lifts the cookie and takes a bite, is optimistic.]

Would you not prefer that change to do away with the deaths entirely?

[bisouled]

[ it is actually a very good cookie. Fiora's cooking is no joke. ]

Of course I would. This world is made of all of us - so it should reflect what we all want. I know most of us don't want this. [ she shakes her head. ] We just need to find out how. I need to work harder.

[soulus]

[It is, he concedes inwardly, the best cookie he's ever had in his long-lived life. He also can't remember the last time he ate a cookie.]

How do you intend to do that?

[bisouled]

[ rufus that is so sad but also TELL HER THAT ]

I've got some ideas... I think the first step is putting an end to this competition. Being divided into secret teams is just making everything harder.

[soulus]

. . . That's a small step.

[bisouled]

[ dryly: ] Thanks for your input.

[soulus]

Your ideas are too short-sighted. You should look further ahead.

[bisouled]

How much further ahead can I look? They're not giving us many options outside of playing by their rules.

[soulus]

[He makes a face before lifting the cookie for another bite—a reminder of why she gave it to him in the first place.]

[bisouled]

[ oh. right. the curse. Fiora blinks, then shakes her head as realization dawns. ]

Oops. [ sorry, Rufus. ] If you must know, I've got smaller steps in my plan. Finding out who else is on my team, for instance.

[soulus]

Have you found anyone?

[bisouled]

Not yet, but I think I will soon. I've just got to talk to Swan a bit more.

[ a pause. ]

Have you been talking to your team leader at all?

[soulus]

No. I haven't been talking to anyone.

[bisouled]

You have? Good job! Maybe I should have brought you two cookies.

[ why is she treating him like a kindergartener. ]

If you're talking to all of them, you're even ahead of me.

[soulus]

Yes. I've talked to all of them by now.

[bisouled]

Guess that was a long shot. Well, it's still good that you're talking to them.

[ she rubs her chin. ]

I bet you're on Wolf's team.

[soulus]

What makes you think so?

[bisouled]

Because you're both grouchy and hard to talk to?

[soulus]

[He makes a face.]

Let's talk about this now.

[The power of the stone makes this conversation too risky to carry on as he is now.]

[bisouled]

[ she laughs a little, muffling it with her hand. ]

Okay, okay. I'll let you off the hook tonight. [ a beat. ] Have you eaten any dinner? Want me to make you something?

[soulus]

Yes. I can't feed myself.

[bisouled]

[ it's so hard not to keep laughing... ]

All right. If you're sure. [ she takes a step backwards, giving him a small wave. ] Goodnight, then, Rufus. I'll see you tomorrow.

[soulus]

[Watching her go, he gives her a curt nod.]

Good morning.