Catch-all: Sharon

[soulus]

Comments

[maidforservice]

[oh!! a ruffle of Sharon's skirts, and she pulls out a doll herself! it looks a little like this cute girl]

I see. So we all received a similar gift.

And yet mine resembles my Lady Alisa, while yours resembles someone you dislike so much you're willing to burn them in effigy. Curious. . .!

[soulus]

[He takes a brief moment to eye the doll in Sharon's possession before turning back to the stovetop. It won't do to burn down the kitchen.]

Nova is attracted to strong emotions. The dolls may be the same.

[maidforservice]

Oh? Is it? Did you hear that from one of the leaders?

[tucking the doll away again]

And that's quite possible. For now, they seem to be dolls, but I do think they're quite cute. ♥

[soulus]

Is there anyone who hasn't received a doll as reward?

[maidforservice]

Not that I'm aware of, but admittedly I've only seen my doll and yours. I suppose I should seek out Master Raven and Lady Elsa and see what they received, just to be sure.

[soulus]

It doesn't hurt to be thorough.

[maidforservice]

[teehee]

[lifts her hand to press it against her cheek in a sort of ho-hum manner]

I suppose your right. In this area, I've been lacking.

[soulus]

Have you? I would've thought a maid to be detail-oriented.

[maidforservice]

Oh, I'm quite detail-oriented, thank you.

[a polite bow of her head]

But even I cannot keep up with forty people at once.

[and the items they received from their scavenger hunts]

[soulus]

How many can you handle, then?

[maidforservice]

[RUFUS. . .]

Are you asking because you intend to handle the other half that I cannot?

[soulus]

I'm asking to receive an answer. Are you saying you can handle up to twenty?

[maidforservice]

[a light giggle]

Perhaps so, yes. That seems like a reasonable number.

[soulus]

Would you be willing to do it?

[maidforservice]

Not without due compensation.

[i.e. SHE EXPECTS YOU TO PICK UP WHERE SHE CAN'T HANG, RUFUS]

[soulus]

Of course. No service should be tendered without payment.

[maidforservice]

Then you intend to take the other twenty, yes? Though. . . still, that seems hardly fair.

[lifts a hand to her chin, thinking]

[soulus]

What do you mean?

[maidforservice]

How about this: I will take twenty, and you can take the other twenty and have tea with me once a week.

That way, we can get to know each other better. It will no doubt improve our working relationship. ♥

[soulus]

. . . If it will improve business . . . I see no reason to refuse.

[maidforservice]

I see you're a businessman at heart, then.

[a curtsy!]

Then allow me to offer you my services, but for a limited time only. I look forward to working with you.

[soulus]

[Ah, finally—the doll has been burnt to an unrecognizable crisp. Satisfied with this outcome, Rufus switches the stove off before turning around to face Sharon properly for the first time since the start of their encounter.]

Likewise.

[maidforservice]

[heehee. . .]

It seems your bonfire has finally burned itself out. Does that mean our conversation is complete for now?

[soulus]

Yes.

Next week, then.

[maidforservice]

[AND THEN. . . SHE DIES]

I look forward to it. Take care, Master Rufus.