in which Rick decides to play Ruana's game this time

[bashfulshifter]

Characters: Patrick Dawn and you!
Setting: Almost everywhere, from the 20th to the 25th of October. See prompts for specific floors.
Format: Action-spam to start, will match.
Summary: Catch-all for candy-hunting shenanigans! Each day will have its own top-post, along with the floors searched, people Rick is searching with, and any other relevant details. Of course, just because he's searching with specific people doesn't mean he can't run into others in-between floors, or even while engaged in the hunt itself! Just specify where and Rick will poke.
Warnings: Towards the end, Rick will be very paranoid about this whole business and might start acting funny. Or violent, if someone attempts to interfere/raid his stash. So potential for angry blonde man?

[It's almost as if he knows exactly what to do. Perhaps not why, but does he really need a reason? What else could compel him more than the opportunity to finally face Ruana in her own game? This is her game, right? It must be. Rick is just as certain of this as he is about scouring the Tower for candy—and in the same way, he has no idea how this will work towards catching the infamous administrator's attention.]

[But regardless of the "how" or "why," this hunt has given Rick more purpose than he's had in months. So he searches, frequently without breaks, in a blind, frantic fervor that becomes increasingly more panicked and paranoid as the week draws on...]

Comments

[bashfulshifter]

I c-can't.

[Said immediately, and with the very slightest hint of suspicion as he follows Veronica's eyes. They flicker to the bag next to him and narrow. She wasn't...?]

[Just to be sure, Rick quickly kneels down and scoops up his candy.]

...N-Not u-until the g-g-game s-stops. Too d-dangerous.

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Veronica's eyes flew from Rick, to the bag, and back again.] Rick, it's a-already too dangerous. Look around y-you!

[She gestured to the ice and snow both of them were currently standing in.] Y-you're risking freezing to d-death for candy!

[Taking a step forward, Veronica held out a hand to him.] Come on... p-please.

[bashfulshifter]

[Rick backs away and hugs his prize to his chest. Veronica's tone has more than made up his mind for him--she wants to lure him away so she can take what's rightfully his, doesn't she? It would be just like Ruana to warp her mind like that, after she's refused to play for a while. Despicable.]

--B-Better than b-being...t-t-tortured and m-maimed for n-not p-playing. [A pause as his expression turns sour.] --I-It's n-n-not j-just--c-c-candy!

[stitchedupbodyguard]

We're p-probably g-going to be tortured and maimed anyways! [She took step forward. Her mask of calmness was beginning to break, paranoia and anger coming out. ] F-from what you've told me a-about h-her, Ruana will p-probably just mess w-with us even if w-we get candy!

The c-candy could j-just be a trap. It c-could a-all b-be a t-trap!

[Her eyes widen as a thought flies through them, and then narrow.]

You could be a trap.

[bashfulshifter]

--W-Well I've got to d-do--!

[Rick cuts himself off as Veronica shoots him that look. She doesn't trust him--he doesn't trust her. This isn't like Veronica at all. Ergo, it must not be Veronica. This conclusion seems oddly logical to him.]

...I-I-I'm w-warning you... [His voice wavers as he braces his shoulders, eyes flickering between his approaching opponent and the exit behind her.] I d-don't...w-w-want to h-hurt you...w-w-whoever you are. Just...l-l-leave me and V-Veronica a-alone. She's d-done n-nothing wrong.

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[She remains on the spot. He didn't trust her anymore. He didn't trust anyone. Whatever Rick might be doing, or if it was even Rick, it could possibly put Veronica in danger.

She starts backing off, not taking her eyes off of him.] A-and I d-don't want to hurt you either. S-so don't try anything, whoever you are.

M-me and Rick aren't going to be beaten s-so easily.

[bashfulshifter]

[Rick holds a steady glare and remains silent. He wants this illusion to end, but with Veronica blocking the exit he can't escape, and if he turns his back to run further into the ruins he definitely puts himself at risk. There's always the chance he could skip past her as a cat, but then he'd have to abandon his candy--and that is simply unacceptable.]

[Uneasy silence prevails between them.]

...I-I'm not g-g-going a-anywhere. [He nods at the gap in the ruins where Veronica had entered.] ...Well? G-Go on.