WEEK 3: CYOA (Rufus, Sumire, Taako, Dorothy)

[retellers]

Comments

[misstrust]

Yes, we'll be sure to do that. We wouldn't want to be late.

[ Narrator Voice: Dorothy was not sure to do that. ]

[soulus]

[Rufus does not want to go to class. But they don't have much of a choice, do they?]

[retellers]

[ She points to the nearest classroom. A few students are trickling into it. ]

Remember, it's for a brighter future.

[misstrust]

...

[ This smile is so beatific. ]

Right... of course.

[ Fine, whatever. INTO THE STUPID CLASSROOM. ]

[soulus]

[They didn't even go down the future road. Into the classroom, they go.]

[retellers]

[ The man isn't in this room, but it's filled with students like the last one was.

At the front of the room, are three of the robed figures who were sitting in the church pews. They're still praying. There are also two empty seats for Dorothy and Rufus. ]

[misstrust]

[ The first thing Dorothy does is scan the room for that man and-- well, he's either not here or cosplaying, so she takes a quiet breath and moves to sit down.

She doesn't entertain any notions that this will be pleasant, but maybe they won't try to make Rufus kill himself again. ]

[soulus]

[While Dorothy scans the room, Rufus watches the robed figures. Once it's evident that they'll just continue to pray, he moves to sit down.]

[retellers]

[ They're just chanting? It's fine.

A student next to Rufus leans over to tap him on the shoulder. ]

Oh my god, aren't you Legis' son? That's so cool.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy lifts an eyebrow but-- well, not her conversation to butt in. So while she kind of has to listen, she's also observing the chanting hooded figures. ]

[soulus]

[He wants to throw this student.

But he does not. Instead Rufus stares at the student with a deeply unamused frown, saying nothing. The Realm operates like this, he reminds himself, so this was expected.]

[retellers]

[ The figures continue to chant, although when Dorothy blinks she may notice that they suddenly seem shorter than they were a moment ago.

The student ignores how unhappy Rufus looks. ]

You just missed his lecture. It was great. He told us to do the right thing... you do that too, right?

[misstrust]

[ ... That's not promising. Three shorter figures is a little too familiar for her liking.

So she glances away, from the figures and from Rufus. Maybe there's a nice poster of Jesus to stare at instead. ]

[soulus]

[Rufus would rather listen to Hansa preach about the Lord over the student's chattering.]

I don't care about that.

[retellers]

But Mrs. Melanie did, she was really happy to finally see him.

[ Jesus stares back.

And also, so do the hooded figures. They finally stopped praying and are now looking directly at the pair. ]

[misstrust]

[ I mean who wouldn't want to look at this pair, they're hot. You know who doesn't want to stare back?

Dorothy. Though she does finally glance Rufus' way, because demons are better than Jesus I guess. ]

[soulus]

[His face twists at the second name. Everything else fades to the background as he clenches his fists and snarls:]

Can you shut your mouth? My mother's name isn't yours to use.

[retellers]

[ The student lifts his hands up in a placating gesture. ]

Sorry, sorry. I think she's cool too.

[ He leans forward, as if to whisper, but his voice still carries over. ]

Or at least she was, until it turned out she was some dumb bitch who died just because she couldn't have some cock in her mouth, huh? What a stupid way to go.

[misstrust]

[ Oh my god.

Dorothy just kind of sits there, frozen. Like wow. The student went there.

And she kind of feels like there's about to be a murder and honestly all she does is sit back and watch Rufus supportively.

You go, Rufus. She'll hold your flower. ]

[soulus]

[The powers that course through his demonic blood may be dormant here, but Rufus still sees red once his rage kicks in.

The desk and chair both topple over as he lunges violently at the student. It doesn't matter where they end up nor how primitive his actions are; whether it's on the floor or a mess of furniture, he aims a furious fist at the student's jaw as many times as he's able.]

[retellers]

[ If Dorothy doesn't stop him, then Rufus can punch the student as much as he wants, even until his face is nothing more than just a bloody mess. The other students just watch. Some pull out their phones to record it.

The hooded figures step closer. ]

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy doesn't stop him. Look, the kid deserves it?? And watching Rufus beat the shit out of someone is much more interesting than watching the creepy hooded trio come closer.

She does finally stand up to take away a few of those phones from the students and chuck them in different directions though. ]

[soulus]

[Beating a trick of the light isn't satisfying, but he does it anyway. He scrapes his knuckles raw against the student's face, his own expression one of vengeful wrath. A phone goes flying past, and he briefly considers picking it up and smashing it against the student's head before resuming the deed with his own fist.

Only once the figures enter his periphery does Rufus halt his assault in the middle of winding back for another punch. He snaps his head in their direction.]

[retellers]

[ The student does not move.

The smallest figure steps forward again and speaks. Her voice is feminine and British. ]

Please stop! You're disrupting the lesson.

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy stiffens, for just a second-- and then she sighs heavily, now stepping closer to the figures. Three of them.

Of course. ]

You can stop now. I know it's not really you.