redacted ★ rufus

[infreefall]

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

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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?

[soulus]

[The monkey thrashes and screams as he holds it in the air.]

It's a monkey.

[infreefall]

Why did it jump on me? Did I make it mad?

[soulus]

No. Thieves have a way of absconding once they've taken something.

[infreefall]

[ ...thieves, huh. she kneels then, feeling out for her raptor. it takes a minute before they find each other. ]

What did it steal, then?

[soulus]

It took something of mine—the device. It still has it.

[infreefall]

I don't think I'll be able to help you get it back...

[ she's gathering her raptor back in her arms before standing. ]

Why is it following you, anyway? I thought they were staying up north.

[soulus]

I thought so as well . . . But this one has been especially stubborn.

[infreefall]

Do you think it just likes you, maybe?

[soulus]

I would prefer that it think nothing of me.

[infreefall]

[ hm. the way he says it, she has to stifle a laugh, hiding her face in her raptor's little cat kigu for a second. ]

I'm sure you wouldn't. How long has it been following you, anyway?

[soulus]

It's been with me since I woke up at the ruins.

[infreefall]

Maybe it's adopted you. [ haha ] Better be careful so your wolf doesn't get jealous, Wilde-san!

[soulus]

That won't be a problem. Come Monday, the monkey will fade away with the jungle.

[infreefall]

[ she snickers. ]

I know. It was a joke.

I don't think I've ever met your wolf, though... Can I? [ . . . ] Maybe when I can see, though.

[soulus]

I don't decide whether he accompanies me or not . . . But if he's with me when we next meet, you will see him then.

[infreefall]

Then I'll be looking forward to it, Wilde-san!

[soulus]

. . . Please watch your step until then.

[infreefall]

[ she nods. ]

Yeah, I will. I've been trying to be careful since I woke up like this yesterday, and sometimes this little guy [ she lifts the raptor a tiny bit ] helps a lot. I'm finding my way around okay, just... a little slower than usual.

I'm glad you didn't lose anything important, Wilde-san. It's pretty hard getting used to it when it keeps changing like this.

[soulus]

[He looks down at the raptor. That's good, then.]

It should end once next week begins.

[infreefall]

Well, yeah, but that doesn't mean it isn't still hard while it lasts. Hopefully whatever happens next week is a little easier to manage, though.

[soulus]

You're still managing. That means you can handle more.