tunasub | OPEN RP POST 2020

[ that seems reasonable enough, provided that time is flowing similarly both here and there? She'll just have to hope so. In any case, she's very excited that he actually agreed (to the point that Dunban might have asked what she's excited about, which she declined to tell him), and when the appointed time rolls around the next day, Fiora's carefully set the PHS on the ground in front of her home, just in case he really does climb straight out of the screen.

Reality... is not that silly. But almost as surprising, at least to her. ]

-- Rufus!

[ there he is!! it's a funny kind of nostalgia, to see someone you haven't seen since you shared some trauma together - but she thinks it's a good kind. Fiora's got a big grin on her face, and that's about the only thing about her that looks the same. Her hair's been cut shorter, and, more pressingly, all of the Mechon parts are gone; she looks like a perfectly normal human girl for the first time since they've met. ]

It's really you! Oh, it's so good you made it!

[ she does not run up and hug him or anything, mercifully, but she's practically shooting sunbeams his way regardless. ]

[The portal fades out of existence behind him.

As a bounty hunter, his eyes are trained to take in as many details as possible on sight. While he absorbs his surroundings in the background, his gaze visibly lingers on Fiora as he realizes—if with the same expressionless mien as ever—that she's been cured, after all. Pity about the soul.

(But not really.)

Looking down, he crouches to pick her PHS up, then walks over and holds it out for her to reclaim.]

Our devices conjure portals like the ones at the Realm. There's no need to set yours down.

[ the setting is quite similar to what he saw in the holodeck with Fiora during that second week - architecture that's a little ramshackle, somewhere between modern and not. The only difference is that they're no longer up in the air, somewhere on the leg of an enormous creature; now they're situated by the ocean somewhere, and there's no sign of the titans on the horizon. Also, there are other people around, ranging from diminutive Nopon to the towering and imposing Machina, but they're all minding their own business, leave them alone. They're politely ignoring that Fiora just summoned a demon out of thin air...

she learned not to expect big reactions out of Rufus pretty early on, so she's not surprised he doesn't make a fuss about her new (old) body; she just smirks, holding out a hand to accept the PHS. ]

And how was I meant to know that? They didn't come with an instruction manual. [ please. wryly: ] Nice to see you, too. You haven't changed a bit, I see.

[How very polite of her neighbors.

The PHS is taken, and he lowers his hand to his side. This close, he can see the miracle at work in greater detail. The absence of markings, as well as the easiness with which she moves, suggests that this really may be a flesh body before him.]

It hasn't been very long since we departed the Realm.

[Even ten years later wouldn't have been much time for him to change.]

Not for you, maybe. A year's a long time for us lowly mortals.

[ a lot can happen in a year, clearly! she tucks the PHS into one of her pouches, then claps her hands together. ]

Come on - come inside! No sense standing around outside and talking, right? I'll make you something to drink, and you can tell me all the adventures you've been having while I was out!

[He doesn't move to go inside yet.]

I brought something . . . for your hospitality.

[He procures it from his person and holds it out to Fiora.

Unfortunately, Rufus does not have the preternatural ability to hold his breath long enough to go so deep underwater without also being pulverized by the pressure of the abyss, so he did not bring a weird worm with him. Besides, who knows what would happen if he were to bring a living creature to another world. She gets a nice, sturdy, brand new knife instead, because he tainted her daggers with his bloody flesh at the Realm.]

You -- what?

[ she's about to turn around and drag him inside (maybe literally, if she has to), but that stops her in her tracks. Of course, she knows better than to think Rufus is all cold and unfeeling business, but she also very much didn't expect anything as thoughtful as a gift. Fiora blinks in surprise, holding out her hands to accept the knife. ]

Rufus...! This is so cool! Is this from the underworld?

[ she is INSPECTING her rad new knife, holding it out in front of herself (and away from him, because that would be dangerous.) ]

[He definitely did not come here to be stabbed unless she means to cover his medical expenses.]

Yes. To be more precise, it's a tool from the wilderness.

[He will never say no to freebies—the Realm was an exception—but this isn't just a meal to which she's invited him. It's not like he's barging into her house on business, either. Now his presence won't be such an imposition, and both Fiora and the seller get to benefit from the transaction.]

[ it's okay to just say you're visiting a friend so you brought a present, rufus. After a moment, she nods, turning back to him with a big smile. ]

The wilderness - that's where you're from, right? So it's like a souvenir!

[ it definitely has a different look compared to the various weapons she collected around the Bionis - Dunban will be totally jealous, she's sure. ]

I'll have to think of something for you to take back, too. Maybe a necklace or something like that? [ he seems like he likes jewelry, so!! ] Or you could try out an ether rifle! I'm not sure it'd work once you took it away from here, though.

[It's okay, but he refuses to say it.

Suddenly, he's that much more conscious of the pendant that hangs around his neck. As for the rifle . . . he looks aside.]

I don't need to take anything back. The food will do.

[ don't be self-conscious, rufus!! she thinks it's cute. ]

Even if I'm the one to pay for it?

[ She smiles a bit impishly. ]

[She's way too eager to spend her money.]

. . . Well, it's your money.

Exactly right, [ she responds, a bit smugly, as she beckons him along after her. ] You should know you can't stop me by now.

[ they're in front of her house, so it's not much of a walk! It's notably not the same one from the virtual reality, but it's similar enough, and, much like the other, a bit too big for one person to be living in alone. Indeed, when she opens the door to let Rufus in, the presence of another pair of shoes suggests her brother's still around, too. ]

Come in! So, how have you been? How's the hand treating you?

[ it got rebuilt at the end, but STILL. ]

[He recalls a small detail from the Realm when they discussed families. When he sees the other pair of shoes on the opposite side of the door, he knows straightaway who else must be here. Coming home to someone—it's an appropriate scene for a person like Fiora.

Ah, that's right. The hand he cut off.]

It's working as intended. It's flesh, after all.

[There aren't mechanical kinks about which to be concerned.]

You never know. There could be some leftover strangeness from having it disappear and then all come back at once like that. I felt plenty odd when I came back.

[ this is the first time she's even mentioned getting her body back, albeit obliquely... and that's because she's waiting on him to comment first. She's stubborn and also wants to be complimented... ]

Glad to hear it's working, though. What have you been up to? Still bounty hunting? Oh, how do you feel about soup?

[What's a hand to an entire body?

It's an invitation if he's ever heard one, but she poses him a few questions that detract from the topic momentarily.]

It's a cost-effective dish that can provide necessary nutrition across several days.

[In his mind, that's a very good thing. The cheapskate in him loves soup.]

It makes for a convenient meal between jobs.

[ this is the most Rufus answer... she can't even be mad he didn't telepathically understand her wants. A muffled giggle behind one hand. ]

But do you like it?

[ she already started working on it yesterday so he's eating it no matter what his answer is. trick question. ]

[He will eat anything that is free.]

. . . I like it.

[Even if he didn't like it, it'd be an acquired taste by now.]

Hehe. That's what I like to hear. This one's gonna be good - I started it last night.

[ that fancy slow-cooker shit. She does look genuinely pleased, though, and she continues to chat as she wanders over to check on the pot. ]

And how are your jobs?

[Hanging back, he watches from behind. She's taken considerable time out of her days for this little reunion.]

Work has been steady.

[And that's saying a lot. Denizens of the wilderness are so often starved of work and food that reputation means everything for finding jobs—an unnecessary detail that he leaves out.]

But it appears that there are bigger news afoot here.

[The very fleshy back of hers at which he is looking, for one.]

[ that's a good thing, she supposes. Fiora's a little hesitant to press for anything more detailed - maybe later. He was dealing with some heavy stuff. But if he's working as usual, he must have pulled through, one way or another. Apparently satisfied with the status of her meal, she puts the lid back on, turning around to rest against the counter (not the stove, she's not that clumsy.) ]

Let me guess. The haircut?

[ she can't help herself... ]

[Then he can't help himself, either. He doesn't even blink.]

It's gotten rather short. Did you sell the locks?

[Don't tell him that the locks went to waste. Even hair can sell for a fair sum.]

I can't tell if you're joking or not. Really.

[ it's rufus... probably not... ]

It wasn't that long to begin with, you know! Did you already forget what I looked like?

[Unless . . . ?]

I don't forget the faces of people with whom I've worked.

[The goes for the state of their hairdos as well.

One thing is clear, though:]

It's been long enough.

[ UNLESS....

that reply softens her expression, and she drops the faux-affronted front, smiling at him a bit apologetically. ]

I guess it has. [ she tents her hands in front of herself, a little awkward. ] Sorry I was quiet for so long. You probably thought the worst happened.

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soulus - 2021-02-09 04:08 (UTC) - Expand