>>5332501>>RELICS ACQUIRED—KLAUSER'S CAPE, SCIENTIA'S SPECTACLES, & LEONHEART'S LEATHERSGathering your selected relics in hand, you stare up at the massive amalgam as he reaches out a hand over your head, a offer of a handshake that your Mom obliges.
“Amara said you went by the ‘Shu, the Defiant’.” Mister Zato intones, his voice resonating with the depths of respect. “It’s been a true honor to duel your daughter, Shu the Defiant.”
“Please, just ‘Shu’ is fine.” You say, and your ears twitch as the tell-tale hum comes from deep within her hive.
Ahhh, this is always your favorite part!
“I’d like you to have this, to stay in touch.” She explains, and you could almost say what comes next for her, you’ve heard it and its variations so much. Not that you mind, though, not at all! Mom just reminds you of Aunt Julia’s flesh weaving, when she gives out another little guy to someone she’s just met.
Knitting the world back together, one fuzzy olive branch at a time.
The FuzzBuzz she’s specially-crafted for Zatoichi is far more rugged in appearance than her usual fare; his fur is relegated to little more than a downy collar and a streak of scarlet fur down his carapace, no doubt to emulate the swordsman’s own cape. A small noise of delight escapes you as you realize the little Buzz is clutching a slightly curved nail in the shape of Cheruem’s Pride, and Mister Zato does little to hide his amusement at the gift.
“Ha, and does this little one have a name?”
“We call his kind FuzzBuzzes, but you’re welcome to name him anything you like.” Mom replies with a smile, one that only deepens when Zatoichi places his diminutive doppelganger on one massive shoulder.
“Hm…Zato One, then. I think it suits him.” He declares soberly before cracking a smile. “So, will you and yours be continuing west?”
“Possibly…will you?” She counters, hesitating for reasons that you can only guess at. Zatoichi shrugs, casting his gaze westward as the little construct on his shoulder does the same, somewhat curbing the dramatic effect.
“In time…I think I’d like to have some time alone, at least for a while. I’ve got quite it a bit more to learn, it seems.” He replies after a moment or two of quiet contemplation, glancing back down at you appraisingly. “It’s painfully apparent to me that I’ve allowed myself to slip by merely honing my skills on those that’ve held back.”
“But…but I wasn’t holding back, Mister Zato!” You say, honestly. “I gave that everything I had!”
“Oh, I’m well aware, Amara. And that’s just what makes you so worthy a foe.” He smiles, though this time the expression doesn’t quite reach his eyes. They’re somewhere else, carried somewhere by realization and just out of joy’s reach. “The closer to the Cord we march, the more desperate the foes. You’ve opened my eyes, Amara…it was the truest of honors to meet you in battle.”
(Keep Smiling)
