"Why? It's not like I was a miser," Rus protests. "But I'm not a mind reader."
"Staff, wand, what's the real difference? It's not as if anyone would have payed attention to a staff." Rus purses his lips. "I suppose it was easier to just go along, especially," he grins, "once the mad batty potions master had such a fearsome reputation." Not a good idea to mention dementors to Rus. Not a good idea at ALL!
"It's useful information to know," he says, smirking. "If they're afraid, you've already got them where you want them mostly."
"Are you sure?" Rus asks doubtfully. He eyes the fork with distrust, but since it's Severus...he takes a cautious nibble, and such a small bite you wouldn't think him capable of. He chews thoughtfully, waiting for something dreadful to happen. When nothing does... "all right," he admits grudgingly. "I guess it's all right. Would you like to try my pasty?" he asks Severus.
That makes sense. You'd want to change the name to reflect politics/trends. I'm thinking Oliver Cromwell here, though how much the wizarding world was affected by that I have no idea. Since he doesn't tease people, or not often and not very well, he doesn't trust it in other people. *snickers* I have a theory or two about how Rus can work that. He's an excellent hunter/tracker after all.