woofus

[bisouled]

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week 7, friday

[bisouled]

[ there was one person in particular Fiora was looking for when she came back - one person who was noticeably absent. Normally, she wouldn't worry about it. Rufus keeps to himself, and he's never been particularly sentimental; even now, she's not sure he even cared she was gone. That's fine. What's not fine is not seeing him after everything she saw just getting back here.

She checks a few places she thinks she might find him - the kitchen, the station - before she ends up at his room, and by then, she's beginning to stress about him. So there's no knock, provided the door is unlocked; she just opens the door hastily, looking around for him. ]

[soulus]

[It's unlocked, if only because he just got back after they managed to miss each other all this time. Fiora barges in, and Rupe's ears perk up where he sits on the floor by the bed while Rufus, seated on the edge of said bed, lifts his head.]

You've returned.

[bisouled]

[ there's a small gasp as she sees him - then, immediately, relief, easing the stiff lines of her shoulders, more potent than Fiora herself had expected. ]

Rufus, you're okay...

[ she hadn't believed it was real, what she saw before, but when he didn't appear, she couldn't help but start fearing the worst. It wouldn't have been the first time she'd been overconfident and incorrect. This time, though, she was right. And it's so good to be right - to know that her closest companion here managed to survive even when she failed. Fiora takes a few steps into the room, and, honestly, she considers trying to hug him; the instinct is there. But he'd probably hate that, wouldn't he? And she's awfully pointy... ]

I'm so glad. I really missed you.

[soulus]

[She is awfully pointy.

Eyeing Fiora, Rufus rises to a stand. He'd have to be blind to miss the tells in her body language. The relief rolling off of her is palpable and curious.]

Did something happen?

[bisouled]

[ well, she died, but that's probably not what he's talking about. Fiora sort of shrugs, like she isn't sure how to phrase it. ]

It's more like... I saw a terrible vision, and for a minute, I thought something really did happen. Getting back here wasn't easy. [ she shakes her head. ] All our memories got mixed up... I thought I saw Shulk die. And I thought I saw you die.

[ she convinced herself none of it was real then, so she could keep pressing forward; still, when she came through and he was gone, it was hard not to worry. Shulk, she's still worried about - but if Rufus is here, and fine, then that's a good sign. ]

[soulus]

I did die . . . but that was weeks ago.

[Either way, he's alive and well now.]

It was similar on our end, which means what you saw shouldn't be real.

[bisouled]

Oh, don't just say things like that! You're awful.

[ but it's so very Rufus that she can't be that mad at him. She sighs, her head dropping a little. He's exactly the same as he always is, which is simultaneously a comfort and a big frightening unknown. ]

I guess I don't really have room to talk. All those things I said about holding on didn't mean much, in the end. [ she looks apologetic - genuinely. and she knows Rufus is going to brush her off, but she has to say it. ] ... I'm sorry I left you here like that. I fought as hard as I could.

[soulus]

. . . Would you have removed her if you had the chance?

[bisouled]

In that fight, you mean?

[ she doesn't know what answer he wants to hear, but all she can do is be honest. ]

... You know me. I'd rather not remove anybody. But... If I had to do it, to survive? I would.

[soulus]

Then there's no need to apologize.

[bisouled]

... You don't always have to act tough in front of me.

[ this kind of thing matters a lot to him, doesn't it? promises, partnerships, people sticking around for him. Fiora doesn't say it out loud, though. She can't imagine he'd appreciate having it pointed it out. ]

But, hey. You never came to get me like you said you would.

[soulus]

[The fact of the matter is that she tried to stay for him. No one else—not even his dearly beloved mother—can say the same.]

Is it still difficult to trust others?

[bisouled]

A little.

[ everyone she trusted - truly almost everyone - was keeping a secret from her. They all killed people. That stings, no matter how much Fiora acts like it doesn't bother her. ]

A lot of people here... aren't who I thought they were.

[soulus]

Was it that surprising?

[It's a simple question, and one devoid of any accusation or condescension in his tone.]

[bisouled]

Of course it was.

[ she puts a hand to her chest, thinking a moment. ]

Well... maybe not with you. [ a beat. ] I know why you didn't, but... you could have told me. I would have forgiven you.

[soulus]

I don't need forgiveness . . . and I was under a vow of silence. It wasn't because of you.

[bisouled]

Right... That's what Hikaru thought, too.

[ that he couldn't say anything about it for other reasons. It shouldn't make her feel better, but it does. ]

Really, it's not really my place to forgive you, anyway - that's not what I meant, exactly. Just that... [ Hikaru is the one who can decide whether or not he gets forgiven - she already has, as far as Fiora can tell, but that's between them. Fiora hesitates, looking for the proper words. ] -- To be honest, I knew you might hurt someone. You told me as much yourself. But you never tried to deceive me. You've always just been you, Rufus. And if you ever weren't who I thought you were, it's because you were better than that person.

[ she pauses, looking earnest. ]

I guess what I'm trying to say is... maybe I don't agree with all the things you do, or did, and maybe it's hard to trust people here, but... from the beginning, I've never been wrong to trust you. And I still do. [ a beat. ] Someday, I'll make up for all this and win your trust, too. That's why we're partners.

[soulus]

[She speaks, and he listens. Once she's said her piece, there's a prolonged stretch of silence before Rufus slides a hand into one of his pockets.]

Please give me your hand.

[bisouled]

[ well, he didn't just brush her off, which is what she was expecting? So that's good. She knows he does listen to her, even if he doesn't always show it - and even if she's not sure he's getting the message she's trying to send. ]

Sure...?

[ despite her mild confusion, she holds a hand out for him to take without hesitation. ]

[soulus]

[He won't take her hand. Rather, his fist comes away from the pocket with a length of chain dangling from his grasp. He deposits the item in her palm and pulls his hand back to reveal a simple locket.]

Opening it will reveal whether what someone has said was the truth or a lie.

[bisouled]

[ no handholding for Fiora. At least she got a present. Her fingers close around it as she looks curiously at it, then him. ]

A gift from the Realm?

[soulus]

[His hand returns to his side.]

Yes.

I would like you to hold onto it.

[bisouled]

[ huh. ]

You're sure...? Why me?

[ it's Rufus, so she assumes there's a practical reason for this - he's not the gift-giving type. ]

[soulus]

You're more prone to voicing your suspicions than I am. The nature of this item suits you better than me.

[bisouled]

... I don't think we're having another trial, you know.

[ but her tone is light, and she smiles a little. does this mean he's accepting what she said? either way, it's not like him to give her anything. she doesn't really have a pocket to put it in, so she just moves to clasp it around her neck. ]

But thanks, Rufus. I'll think of a good use for it.