Quoted By:
“Mat, I don’t mind doing this with you, but first…” You put the pointy needle inside the box to grab Matilda’s hands. “Is there a reason why you insist on using your Grandfather’s gestures to express yourself rather than your own? First, the handshake instead of the hug, now this. I understand your respect for him, and I know you’re sincere in doing these things… Still I can’t help but feel that using these traditions is a sort of block that keeps you from expressing your feelings in your own way. With your own actions and words. Like I said, I’m still happy to do this. Right now, you use these traditions to make yourself and your feelings clear to others. In the future, if you understand your feelings and express them in different ways. I’ll be happy to go along with you then as well!”
You smile as the cherry on top! Y-You’re ready for the Blood Oath!
Matilda remains stoic, hand holding not mattering to her in the slightest. She stares at you in an odd way, like an animal confused by technology or something.
“I remember from a young age being told that putting your neck on the line to protect an ally is the greatest display of trust one human being can show to another. Willing to forsake your life, to bite the bullet, for the well-being of a confidant illustrates a bond between two people that cannot be matched. Essentially, you become family in every way but blood.” Matilda moves her hands away from yours. “Many of those who relayed this knowledge to me went through this oath with my grandfather, and swore loyalty to one another. <span class="mu-s">The same people who ultimately betrayed my grandfather when he needed them the most</span>. Yet, you — <span class="mu-i">without this oath</span>— did what they could not do for him, for me.”
“Johnny Ando, before our trip to Xumenlo, I thought of you as nothing but a close acquaintance. A foolish man who almost lost his life for people who didn’t hesitate to stab you in the back. But now, I see you in another light. You’re still much of a fool for risking your life for people like them. Like me. But now I find value in that naivety.” Matilda is speaking from the heart. “I’m not the kind of person who goes through empty gestures for the sake of appearances. I let my actions speak. You may think I’m honoring these traditions as a way to mask my true feelings, but I disagree. There is no better way for me to show you that, no matter what, I will have your back like you had mine. I expect nothing different from you with this oath, but I want to reassure you that I’m your ally… <span class="mu-i">that I won’t abandon you...</span>”
“Mat…” Blood Oaths are serious businesses. What did you expect?
“Please, show me your hand…” Matilda asks one more time to make it official.
