But he doesn't treat her memory all too lightly. It's information she's sharing with him, so he looks when she gestures and listens when she speaks. He looks at the window in question, too.]
We're on the Bionis right now - or my memory of it, I guess. Colony 9's a bit behind its knee. See up there? That's the Bionis's upper leg. [ gesturing to the huge pillar of land above them in the clouds. ] And the Telethia are... a sort of monster. They've got nothing to do with the colony, though.
[ she's not picking up that he's indirectly asking about the Mechon. ]
[ well, she doesn't have many good memories of them, but... ]
They're a race of machines that were at war with us for a long time. It should be over now, but they terrorized all us on the Bionis for ages.
[ as she thinks about them, the skies darken as if storm clouds are rolling in, obviously not on purpose. But when she thinks about the Mechon and Colony 9, her thoughts can't help but drift back to that day. Which she is definitely not talking about!! She shakes her head. ]
All of it, if they wanted to. It's not like it's a secret.
[ he's somewhat hard to read; she can't tell if he's bored with her or if he's actually listening intently. She hopes it's the latter, but she'd sooner bet on the former. ]
... Is that what you want to hear? Something I won't tell other people?
I believe business and private matters should be kept separate, but the rule demands otherwise. In this case, I would prefer to learn something of value based on its uniqueness.
[ on the bright side, even if he's hard to read, he is unfalteringly straightforward - if nothing else. She's quiet for a moment, biting her lip, and then sighs, resigned, as she points across the lake, where another portion of the town is visible. ]
Over there... The last time the Mechon attacked Colony 9, I went to stop them. That's where I died.
[ a nod. It's odd to talk about it with someone outside of her immediate circle of friends - everyone back home knew already what had happened to her. In the moment, she finds herself grateful that Rufus isn't the type to get emotional or start pitying her. ]
Something like that. Parts of me are still Homs, but I'm mostly Mechon now. For a while, I had no control over my body at all. [ Fiora pauses, a little awkwardly. ] Don't tell the others, okay? I don't want people to feel more sorry for me than they already do. I'm all right now.
[The fact that she asks is ridiculous, if understandable. Rufus turns back to Fiora. Her body makes more sense now, and it doesn't change much of anything for him.
Pity is a waste of time and energy. He refuses to encourage or otherwise engage in it.]
Not to worry. This is our exchange. I have no interest in gossip, either.
[ she figured as much, but it doesn't hurt to confirm. Fiora smiles, giving him a nod. ]
Thanks. I knew I could count on you. [ if only because he doesn't care... which isn't great, either, but it's expected. ] You don't sound that surprised. I guess someone your age has seen it all.
[ nice awkward pause... she sighs in slight exasperation when he finally comes out with a bone-dry "thank you" and nothing else. Why did she decide to partner up with this guy, again...
luckily, an easy topic change is in sight! ]
That's right! Fair is fair. I want to hear a memory of your home, too! Have you got any family, Rufus?
[His expression darkens at her question. Family is the last thing he wants to talk about, but that's what makes this an equal exchange. Fortunately, talking about it here means that he never has to speak of it elsewhere again.
His tone as he relives the memory is slow, flat, and controlled.]
. . . I had family, of course.
The day my father vanished, my mother felt an indescribable loss. She collapsed, and there was nobody left to help her once she fell ill.
She fell . . . and the only one at her side was me. I was a child with no means of providing the treatment she needed. She would tell me that she felt better while she stood out in the wilderness, waiting for someone who never returned. No matter how many times I told her the outside air wasn't good . . . she waited.
[ that... was more heartfelt than she was expecting, his neutral tone aside. She listens intently, as a good listener does, her brows tightening as he continues. Fiora had a feeling when she asked that the answer wouldn't be pleasant. If everything was stable at home, she doubts he'd take on a job like "bounty hunter" - and that he'd be as sour as he is. Still, she'd also been prepared for him to give her something bland and concise. He did say he didn't want to mix his personal life with business. ]
Rufus... That's terrible. I'm sorry. [ she presses a hand to her chest, looking down. ] It never stops hurting, losing them. You're an orphan every day afterwards.
[ and he doesn't even have siblings, like she does. ]
... I hope that you made some good memories together while you could. Even if you couldn't save her, you were still there for her. That matters.
[It's difficult to be bland and concise where his mother is concerned. Even so, Rufus doesn't care to hear Fiora's condolences. A bitter part of him thinks that it didn't matter enough, but that's not what draws out the ensuing silence as he closes his eyes.
He's already said too much. He shouldn't volunteer more than this.]
There's no need for your consolation. I shared this memory to honor our agreement.
Well... two things, actually. I wanted to tell you something I learned, since we're partners and all. It sounds like Virid's leader probably encouraged him to kill for more Nova -- so one of those six isn't on our side. Be careful.
[ a beat. ]
And the other thing... You don't have to only talk to me about business. If there's ever anything on your mind, you can tell me. Even if it's silly. I want to be friends.
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But he doesn't treat her memory all too lightly. It's information she's sharing with him, so he looks when she gestures and listens when she speaks. He looks at the window in question, too.]
You mentioned the Bionis and Telethia.
[Not the Mechon, though.]
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We're on the Bionis right now - or my memory of it, I guess. Colony 9's a bit behind its knee. See up there? That's the Bionis's upper leg. [ gesturing to the huge pillar of land above them in the clouds. ] And the Telethia are... a sort of monster. They've got nothing to do with the colony, though.
[ she's not picking up that he's indirectly asking about the Mechon. ]
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It's curious, though—all of this.]
What about the Mechon?
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[ well, she doesn't have many good memories of them, but... ]
They're a race of machines that were at war with us for a long time. It should be over now, but they terrorized all us on the Bionis for ages.
[ as she thinks about them, the skies darken as if storm clouds are rolling in, obviously not on purpose. But when she thinks about the Mechon and Colony 9, her thoughts can't help but drift back to that day. Which she is definitely not talking about!! She shakes her head. ]
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Which part of this do the other participants know?
[They won't talk about it, then.]
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[ he's somewhat hard to read; she can't tell if he's bored with her or if he's actually listening intently. She hopes it's the latter, but she'd sooner bet on the former. ]
... Is that what you want to hear? Something I won't tell other people?
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I believe business and private matters should be kept separate, but the rule demands otherwise. In this case, I would prefer to learn something of value based on its uniqueness.
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... Then you have to tell me a secret memory, too. That's the rule - we're sharing.
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Over there... The last time the Mechon attacked Colony 9, I went to stop them. That's where I died.
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He doesn't look back right away. He's busy trying to fit the pieces together.]
You died . . . and they revived you as one of them.
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Something like that. Parts of me are still Homs, but I'm mostly Mechon now. For a while, I had no control over my body at all. [ Fiora pauses, a little awkwardly. ] Don't tell the others, okay? I don't want people to feel more sorry for me than they already do. I'm all right now.
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Pity is a waste of time and energy. He refuses to encourage or otherwise engage in it.]
Not to worry. This is our exchange. I have no interest in gossip, either.
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Thanks. I knew I could count on you. [ if only because he doesn't care... which isn't great, either, but it's expected. ] You don't sound that surprised. I guess someone your age has seen it all.
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Thank you for sharing.
. . . I suppose it's my turn now.
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luckily, an easy topic change is in sight! ]
That's right! Fair is fair. I want to hear a memory of your home, too! Have you got any family, Rufus?
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His tone as he relives the memory is slow, flat, and controlled.]
. . . I had family, of course.
The day my father vanished, my mother felt an indescribable loss. She collapsed, and there was nobody left to help her once she fell ill.
She fell . . . and the only one at her side was me. I was a child with no means of providing the treatment she needed. She would tell me that she felt better while she stood out in the wilderness, waiting for someone who never returned. No matter how many times I told her the outside air wasn't good . . . she waited.
Until the day she passed away, she waited.
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Rufus... That's terrible. I'm sorry. [ she presses a hand to her chest, looking down. ] It never stops hurting, losing them. You're an orphan every day afterwards.
[ and he doesn't even have siblings, like she does. ]
... I hope that you made some good memories together while you could. Even if you couldn't save her, you were still there for her. That matters.
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He's already said too much. He shouldn't volunteer more than this.]
There's no need for your consolation. I shared this memory to honor our agreement.
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[ she figured he'd respond that way, but her feelings are the same regardless. ]
Thank you for telling me, Rufus. I know you didn't want to. [ a beat. ] But... I'm glad you did.
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A beat passes. He opens his eyes, then turns around to walk back the way he came.]
If that's all, I'll be going.
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[ he really doesn't want to stick around, huh. ]
There's something else.
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What is it?
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[ a beat. ]
And the other thing... You don't have to only talk to me about business. If there's ever anything on your mind, you can tell me. Even if it's silly. I want to be friends.
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[He does not comment on friendship.]
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