redacted ★ rufus

[infreefall]

MY ORIGINAL IMAGE VANISHED SOMEHOW so this'll have to do

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week 1, tuesday

[infreefall]

[ catch ochako leaving the cafeteria with a handful of astronaut food packets from the vending machines! She’s on her way to the control bridge to enjoy lunch with a view. ]

At least they don’t charge us for these… oh.

[ hi rufus. she smiles! ]

Hi, Wilde-san. Is your cheek healing okay?

[soulus]

[Her magical words about free things draw his gaze long before she addresses him. When she does, he turns to show her the rest of his face.

Healing without incident, the scratches have faded considerably since the trial.

His gaze falls on the food packets in Ochako's possession.]

It should be fully healed in a day or two.

[infreefall]

Good, good! I was kind of worried about you, on Saturday... but I'm glad you're alright.

[ and honestly, who can blame him for being distracted by free food. she follows his gaze, and laughs. ]

Oh, do you want one? Or a few? I guess I went a little overboard, huh?

[soulus]

Are you headed somewhere?

[If she meant to just stash them, surely she would've stored them away for later.]

week 1, saturday.

[infreefall]

[ ochako isn't going near the bridge right now, but she is limping back toward the inn! she's tired. they are all tired. it's been a bad time.

but she'll try to act like she's okay, anyway. there's no trace of her usual smile, though. she can't bring herself to even try, even when she sees someone that ochako thinks she'd rather not see her weakness. ]

Hey, Wilde-san.

[soulus]

[Most participants are showing their weak faces tonight. Rufus doesn't comment on them, nor hers.]

How are your injuries?

[infreefall]

They'll heal eventually.

[ but that's not really an answer, is it. she sighs. ]

It all hurts, but I don't think that there's much we can do about it, right now.

[soulus]

. . . There are certain kinds of tea that can provide some relief. Why don't you ask around?

Week 2: Tuesday

[soulus]

[On this most fortuitous morning, their paths cross along the top of the wall that comprises the fort. Seeing Ochako's face, he stops as he's reminded of their last conversation.]

Were you able to contact the Leaders?

[infreefall]

Some of them, yeah. They told me the gun should do what it said, and the note... might belong to Fox? But I haven't gotten to talk to Fox yet to confirm it.

[soulus]

Why Fox?

[infreefall]

I dunno, really. Maybe it was the tone they used in writing it?

Week 3: Saturday

[soulus]

[While Ochako blindly makes her way through the inn, something—a monkey—leaps onto her back. It's got something in its hand, so three limbs wrap around her head in an effort to secure itself with a sharp shout.]

[infreefall]

[ it startles her?! so she gives a loud yelp and drops her raptor friend to try to get it off of her. the raptor squeaks angrily from the floor. ]

[soulus]

[The raptor's presence aggravates the monkey, who climbs even higher up on her head—when it's plucked off of her entirely by Rufus from behind.]

Please return it.

[infreefall]

[ WHAT IS GOING ON? her balance is completely thrown off-center, so removing the monkey means she stumbles a bit, but somehow manages to stay upright, with arms thrown out to her sides. ]

Wh- Wilde-san?! What was that?

Week 4: Monday

[soulus]

[At the gun range, bubbles permeate the air while Rufus inspects one of the pistols set out for practice. He looks up when Ochako enters.]

Are you here to practice?

[infreefall]

[ she smiles when she finds rufus here! ]

Mm! I've never actually shot a gun before, so I figured I might as well get some practice while it's here. Were you thinking the same thing?

[soulus]

Firearms are my specialty.

Are you interested in a lesson? Of course, there will be a fee.

week 5, tuesday

[infreefall]

[ i forgot so many things this week i'm gomen jae

wherever rufus is, ochako is also here now! she is dressed appropriately thanks to the northern area, and smiles at rufus and his daemon as she approaches, a red panda padding along behind her. ]

So you've got two wolves now, huh? I hope Rupe-san won't get jealous.

[soulus]

[The wolf's tail swishes once upon sighting Ochako.]

I sent him away.

[infreefall]

Hm? Why?

[ she glances at this new wolf curiously. ]

They didn't fight, did they?

week 5, friday.

[infreefall]

[ i don't know where anyone or anything is so let's just say they're somewhere in the plaza, maybe. she's rather subdued today, but somehow she still manages a smile for rufus. it's okay if it isn't really genuine. of all the people she'd expect to ask, rufus isn't one. ]

I'm glad to see you're okay, Wilde-san.

[soulus]

[He certainly looks as okay as he can be with flowers decorating his hair and attire. He even sports a crown of them on his head.]

Did you investigate the area?

[infreefall]

...As much as I could, but I didn't find anything the others haven't. We'll have to wait until tomorrow for the rest.