redacted ★ rufus

[infreefall]

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

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[infreefall]

[ she tilts her head, curious. ]

You say that like you know from personal experience.

[soulus]

[He frowns. Just then, a bubble pops against a target in the distance on its own.

"Just think of it as the right thing to do," says a blond man with pointed ears to a familiar child, who glowers at him. These are the only words exchanged between them. In the end, the man leaves and the door swings closed behind him.

The scene then shifts to a barren land held together by manmade parts. Two men converse with one another when the familiar child from before in ragged clothes approaches them.

"Are you the legendary bounty hunter?" he asks in a youthful voice that has yet to break.

The second man turns around with a look of mild surprise. "Rufus?"

"Just answer my question. I asked if you're the legendary bounty hunter."

"What a bold kid." The first man turns to the second. "Do you know him?"

"I do. That's the son of Legis." When the name is echoed, the second man continues, "Yes, the real legendary bounty hunter. I'm just sharing the title as his partner. Do you understand, Rufus? That was your father."

Rufus scoffs. "How is he a legend . . . I understand why they say bounty hunters are no different from outlaws. I am not looking for cowards." He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a gun too big for his hands, and points it at the sky, "I need money. Please make me a bounty hunter."

"Isn't that Legis' gun?" asks the first man. "Boy. A good kid shouldn't play with guns. Guns are for bad adults."

"The gun is already in my hand. If that's the requirement, I will become a bad adult."

"Why don't you sell the gun?" asks the first man again. "I'll pay you well. Or I can refer you to a good place."

"Listen to Randy. Look for a different job if you want to live," says the second man.

Rufus swallows, hesitating.

"My mother . . . my mother is very sick," he says pitifully.

The second man hums. "All right. Let me see what you've got! I'll help you since your father and I were friends."

"I don't like the reason . . . but I will let it pass this time."

The man frowns. "I think I should teach you manners first."]

[infreefall]

[ oh. ]

Your mom... [ her voice is soft, sympathetic. ] That's why you want money - to help her?

[ who knew they had something like that in common? ]

[soulus]

. . . My mother passed away many years ago.