REDACTABLE - Rufus

[heartablaze]

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WEEK ZERO - SATURDAY

[heartablaze]

[Wow, this forest sure goes on forever. Maybe that's why there's a flash of red that can be spotted near the top of a rather large pine tree, not seeming to care just how high up she is as she grips the branch with one hand and shields her eyes with the other, trying to get a better look out across the fields and at the castle that looms in the distance.

who needs a babysitter when you have Tree

She'll spot Rufus from a distance and wave, a broad and sweeping motion above her head. He sure isn't the person she's looking for, but it's rude not to say hello!]

[soulus]

[Although Rufus doesn't return the wave, he does look up to make out Hikaru's silhouette. Approaching the base of the pine tree, he raises his voice just enough for it to carry up to her altitude.]

You're up rather high. What can you see?

[heartablaze]

Lots of trees!!!!

[Called back as though this isn't the most obvious thing in the whole wide world.]

I was hoping maybe there would be more past that, but I don't really see anything else out there right now! No other buildings, no planes or cars or monsters -- nothing!

[soulus]

Then the forest has no visible end . . .

What about the castle?

[heartablaze]

...You mean, besides that it's big?

[That's probably not what he meant, though, so she thinks over her words a little more.]

Actually... you know how big buildings are supposed to look even bigger when you get closer? It doesn't. It doesn't look any different than it does from the other side of town...

It's kind of spooky, actually.

Week 1: Tuesday

[soulus]

[He beats her to the VR Room, where he's yet to play with the system to paint up a scenario. When Hikaru enters, he watches her for a moment before cutting straight to the chase:]

Shall we share memories?

[heartablaze]

Oh! Hi, Rufus-san. [The bluntness is something she either doesn't mind or is a little oblivious to. Either way, she just nods.]

Mn, I don't mind! I wanted to see if this place could make a place I knew anyway. [Was there an option for that? Did she just have to think really hard about it? Hm.

A beat, before her voice softens a little.]

Is your face feeling any better? I know a lotta people were bothering you at the trial...

[soulus]

[He nods—whether to indicate that the system is all hers or in response to the question about his face, he doesn't say.

The scratches have faded more than halfway. They're on the cusp of healing entirely. With any luck, people will stop talking about them after that.]

That's behind us now.

What place do you have in mind?

[heartablaze]

Mm. As long as you're okay, then that's what matters!

[Hm. This is like... a big version of the PHS, maybe? She'll fiddle with it a little bit, but it looks all they have to do is step inside? "Simple scenarios", though... Hm. Maybe if she just thought of a single place... that might work?

Her smile is fond as she steps towards the door to the VR room, though there's a tinge of longing, a sad nostalgia that's a little odd for a girl so small.]

Someplace I haven't gotten to see in a while. Not the way I remember, anyway. You wanna come look?

[soulus]

[He steps toward the room, but doesn't cross the threshold just yet.]

. . . Time is money. I will look if you show it to just me.

[In other words, the knowledge he gains from a private viewing will serve as payment if she's willing.]

Week 2: Tuesday

[soulus]

[After walking along the length of the fort's wall, he finds himself on the roof. It's impossible to miss the head of pink in the near distance. He looks—and although he hasn't yet decided on whether to walk away or approach, Hikaru's probably made up her mind already by now.]

[heartablaze]

[He's an easy one to spot, though Hikaru is far less energetic and a little more respectful when she approaches him with a smile, bowing her head a little bit. She is not quite close enough to memory share so I will let Rufus have a tag or two of peace.]

Hi, Rufus-san. Did you come to look at the view? It seems like the ocean stretches forever from up here, doesn't it?

[soulus]

. . . It does seem that way.

[But his eyes are on Hikaru and not the ocean.]

[heartablaze]

[She's slightly oblivious to his eyes on her, letting her gaze drift, leaning up against the fort wall and lifting her chin into the ocean breeze. I lied you get to have emotions now, but at the very least, right this second, all that passes through her is something content in the moment, keeping something a little darker and more difficult to parse somewhere deep.]

I know it's not exactly the real thing - it's just something made out of memories, or something like that. But with how grand everything is, I can't help but wonder what could have happened in a place like this. If it were filled with people and boats and music...

I think it might be fun.

[soulus]

[Hikaru's content is matched by Rufus' calm. Beneath that surface of control, his emotions are much clearer: anger, unease, and vexation swirl as one within him as he continues to watch her.]

Is that what you imagine for Cefiro?

Week 4: Tuesday

[soulus]

[After the initial exploration on Monday, Rufus heads for the mountain. He looks over the town at the peak, and a small cluster of bubbles—contrasting starkly against their dry surroundings—floating nearby with Rufus' back to her awaits Hikaru once she arrives.]

now that we're gonna FIGHT IN THE WENDYS PARKING LOT gently gets back to this :)

[heartablaze]

[What a hike! She's quiet when she approaches, staying a distance from him when she finds a seat on the ground, lowering to rest on her knees.]

...May I stay here for a little bit, Rufus-san?

[It's plainly asked, even as she lowers her sword to rest at her side, not noticing the bubbles that rest behind it.

Rufus will now be stuck in memory hell for a hot minute...

Hikaru herself doesn't seem to react. Not until the end. Not until her hands unconsciously lift to trace against the scars of the gashes left behind.]

[soulus]

[She may do what she wants. Rufus has no reason to shoo her away, and the memories that follow keep them pinned in place.

He recognizes the test and her opponent. He was disgusted then, and he's no less disgusted now. Hikaru's own feelings on the matter synergize with his, though she's far more sympathetic to her opponent's plight. Perhaps that influence is what stays his own temper.

For her mercy, she's torn apart when the memory abruptly cuts. There's a moment where nobody speaks until Rufus looks over his shoulder.]

Were you able to see it?

[heartablaze]

[She glances at him, just briefly, before giving a nod... though it's hesitant.]

Not all of it. Some is just... noise.

[Her hand stays at her neck, fingers against a scar, her sigh coming slowly.]

I remember most of it, though.

[soulus]

[He turns partway to her.]

I perceived your opponent clearly.

WEEK SEVEN - FRIDAY

[heartablaze]

[knock knock, Rufus, someone noticed you were absent so she is finding your room and gently rapping on the door]

Rufus-san...

Are... you in there?? Can we talk??

[soulus]

[The door creaks open to reveal Rufus, who steps aside to let Hikaru in. They can talk.]

[heartablaze]

[She quietly thanks him as she scoots inside, letting herself sink against a wall. She is so fucking tired. But she'll still smile at him, just as bright as usual, if not worn down at the seams.]

I wanted to make sure you were okay. People didn't give you a hard time after I left, did they...?

[soulus]

[He closes the door behind him, moves farther inside, and watches her where he stands.]

No. Despite the votes, nobody acted with suspicion.

[heartablaze]

Good. I was really worried about you.

Would you tell me what happened? Nobody on the other side really could tell me anything, other than they found my body under the ground.

[A beat, before her smile quirks a little bit.]

...Um... Thank you for that. I hope nobody took it the wrong way.