>>5332354“…plus, if THAT isn’t a sign, then I don’t know what is.” He grunts, jerking a thumb over one massive shoulder and at the afterimage of the mysterious light that streaked across the sky.
“Sign or no, we need to know exactly what the hell that thing is and what caused it.” Gina mutters, whipping out her phone. “I’ll get Orwell on the line. If anyone can tell us what happened, then it’s-“
“IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT THE LIGHT, DON’T BE.” Leviathan’s voice suddenly booms from somewhere deep in Mom’s helmet, making her curse loudly before turning down the volume on her integrated Commlings. “YAMATO JUST BECAME THE TOAST OF THE SEAS BY FINALLY USING A LITTLE SOMETHING I GAVE HER A LITTLE WHILE AGO. WITH A FEW FINE TWEAKS BY YOURS TRULY, IT SHOULD BE EVEN MORE POTENT THE NEXT TIME IT’S USED.”
Then, more as an afterthought than anything; “SORRY IF WE GAVE YOU A FRIGHT, DEFIANT.”
“Just a bit, yeah.” Mom groans, staring out as the radiant streak slowly dims, the sky healing from the wound of bleeding light that’s lanced across the horizon. “What the hell did she hit?”
“A VERY INSISTENT ISLAND. NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, I ASSURE YOU.” Comes Leviathan’s vaguely un-assuring answer. “UNTIL NEXT TIME, DEFIANT.”
With a final, startling ‘pop’ the line cuts out, leaving the five of you watch the last vestiges of the laser’s ghost fade into the familiar scarlet dusk. Wordlessly, the Vagrant turns to you once more, regarding you with a measure of respect and concern before he takes a knee. With the same care and grace that he dueled with, it’s with a similarly fluid motion that he presents you with-
“Sensei’s sword.” You breathe, voice barely above a whisper as you reach out, fingertips overing over the impeccable Hexane sheathe. “Mister Vagrant, are you-?”
“Sure? Of course I’m sure.” He chuckles, black eyes gleaming like polished onyx. “You gave me the fight and fright of my life back there. It’d be an honor to see this in the hands of its rightful master.”
You bite your lower lip, valiantly resisting the urge to snatch it right here and now. Think…
…what would make Mom do?
>>Thank him for the duel, in earnest…and then take your prize in hand.>>Ask him when he’d be willing to train you, and if he’d be open to taking other students as well.>>Ask The Vagrant something about himself before you take the sword, since he seems to be in a good mood (Write-in).>>Write-InYOU ARE IN CONTROL
