Cologne was amazed as she watched Shampoo prepare for her first day of school. Despite being recently blinded, Shampoo never stumbled or had to search for anything. Cologne considered that maybe Shampoo just knew the Cat Cafe that well, but discarded that. She was adjusting much too rapidly to her blindness. The girl was simply too depressed about her situation to realize it. Could it be...?
Cologne took out a chopstick, and without any warning, threw it at Shampoo. She reacted instantly, catching the stick before it got anywhere close to her. "Great-Grandmother? Why did you throw this at me?"
Cologne was nearly giddy with excitement. "Shampoo, how did you know I had thrown that?"
Shampoo considered that. "Shampoo hear you. You making too too much noise this morning, Great-Grandmother. And stick whistle high when thrown. Child could notice it. Shampoo not want to be coddled!"
Cologne cackled, then mumbled. "No, Shampoo. I have been taking care this morning to be silent. There was no way you could have had advanced warning. Nor for that matter, should you here this."
Shampoo was confused. "Why I no should hear you?
"Where are you, Shampoo? What is around you?"
Shampoo huffed. "Am in own room. Next to bed! Dresser to Shampoo's right, closet in front... ceremonial knife on wall, weapons and cloths in closet..." She finally seemed to catch on. "Shampoo... knows what is around! But... no can see. How?"
Cologne walked over to her Great-Granddaughter. "It is sometimes called the Unseen Light. Something beyond just blind-fighting skills, it allows you to process the information your other senses gather more accurately, and combine them to get a sort of picture of your surroundings. Yes?"
Shampoo nodded.
"I myself never could manage to achieve that state. Most of the masters of the Unseen Light were supposed to be blind, anyway, but powerful warriors still. The last known one died some eighty years ago though. Still, this means you won't have to give up being a warrior, after all."
Shampoo smiled. "This mean Shampoo no go to school?"
Cologne chuckled, but then frowned. "No, Shampoo, you are still going. And I want you to keep this a secret for now."
Shampoo pouted. "Why? Shampoo not like be thought of as... weak."
"Great-Granddaughter," Cologne began, seriously, "I have felt troubling stirrings. A time of darkness approaches, and I believe you will be caught up in it. It will be to your advantage if people believe you unable to fight for as long as you can maintain the deception. If you must fight, you will need a disguise... I will think on this more, today. You must head to school."
Shampoo sighed, but proceeded to dress in the uniform Cologne gave her. It was going to be a long day...
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(Posted Fri, 22 Nov 2002 20:24)
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