“Willpower is defensive, the Resonator’s rhythm is more resilient against damage. Knowledge allows the Resonator to move tactically around the battlefield.”

“But emotion, that’s the risky man’s card – The Resonator needs to be invested in the battle. If so, they can generate insane power. Power that can break the sturdiest defenses.”

Taika’s eyes fluttered open. Who was talking? It was a voice she didn’t recognize. She sat up from the couch she was sleeping on. Shouri was right where she had left him, but who was the blond guy sitting by the bedside? And when did Rebecca get here?

“Buongiorno Sho.” The lunar fox rubbed the sleep from her eyes, in an attempt to better study the newcomer. “Chi è questo tizio?” she directed at Rebecca, hoping to get some idea of who this random stranger was before deciding how to address him.

It was not Rebecca however, who responded, but the stranger in question. And he responded in a way Taika hadn’t anticipated. “Ciao, mi chiamo Elijah Klein. Piacere di conoscerla, signorina.” He bowed while remaining seated.

“Che?” Taika blinked. She hadn’t ever had a Maestro speak Naturalian at her. Shoot, outside of her birthplace she hadn’t heard anyone else speak Naturalian. Sure, other Resonators understood her just fine, but they only ever spoke back to her in Maelish. It was disarming to hear another speak her native tongue.

“My father says if you speak a language one understands, it goes to their head, however, if you speak their language it goes to their heart. And the heart is the key in business,” Elijah chuckled knowingly. “In our modern world we only have two choices of tongue, I imagine such a feat would be far more difficult in the world of the past where many different languages flourished.” The enigmatic Maestro shrugged.

Shouri himself finally decided to enter the conversation. “You’re the heir to the Klein Foundation, right?” he asked for clarification.

“The one and only,” Elijah replied, once more making grandiose motions with his arms as if he were reintroducing himself. “Though if my father has any concubines in his employ, neither I nor the public are aware of them,” he added with a titter.

Taika’s confusion was practically broadcast from a rhythmic perspective, Shouri feeling a strong tug on his rhythm. “The Klein Foundation produces pretty much everything related to competitive Resonator combat. The stadiums, products, and even the duelists themselves they have a hand in sponsoring. Since Resonator battling stands on par with Scherzando hunting in terms of revenue, they are an exceedingly wealthy family with a ton of power behind just their name,” Shouri explained.

Elijah remained quiet, content to hold a smile as his family’s business was laid out for the curious fox. Rebecca nodded in the affirmative as well, having witnessed the weight of the Klein name being used just this morning.

“Anyways, mister Tomoshibi, as I was saying before. Miss Rebecca has terrifyingly high potential. That is to say, it depends on her. Emotion-staved Resonators like her must be invested in every battle, otherwise their potential is squandered. They’re tricky to utilize but some of our best have mastered them,” Elijah went on.

Shouri slowly nodded. “Rebecca?” He glanced over at the fire Resonator in question.

“Yeah, I like to fight, but I’m not interested in any of that competitive nonsense. Too stuffy,” she replied curtly.

“There you have it, mister Klein,” Shouri smirked, knowing full well the answer as soon as Elijah had made his initial proposition.

The Klein family's heir hummed and frowned. “That’s a shame. Miss Rebecca made quick work of Zino. I only say this in his absence, but it was so one-sided it was like watching a newborn try to fight an avalanche. There was never any hope he would so much as harm a hair on Miss Rebecca’s head.” Elijah shrugged and shook his head, pitying his own Resonator.

“You probably should have stopped him if you knew,” Shouri pointed out.

“I can’t stop him when he gets like that,” Elijah countered nonchalantly.

“It’s kind of your job,” Shouri retorted back.

“You have a very interesting way of going about things Shouri.” The boy laughed heartily. “I’ve met countless Maestros in my time, but you are by far the most intriguing individual.” He allowed himself a moment to gather his thoughts.

“That’s why I wish to inquire once more: teach me your methods. Your Resonators are unflinchingly loyal, they will defend your name even in your absence, they are extraordinarily powerful, and you exude a rhythm that crushes one like myself.” Another pause by the Klein heir. “But I think you’re the cure to my problem. I think over drugs, rubato crystals, and all other treatments; I think your impossible etude, if I could emulate only a fraction of it, I could stand as a Maestro worthy of Zino.”

Shouri hummed in thought. “Well for starters, you not blaming Zino for your own problems is a step in the right direction,” he mused aloud.

“Zino has to pull his weight,” Rebecca chimed in. “Etude is a two-way street,” she commented, earning a nod of agreement from her own Maestro.

“Too true.” Shouri mulled over what he wanted to say. “I think our… situation is quite unique, but at least our way of doing things might get you and Zino in the right direction,” he decided after a moment of thought.

“Excellent! Excellent!” Elijah was certainly pleased with this turn of events. “I will consider you under my employ for the time, so anything you need, the Klein Foundation will be happy to provide,” he added.

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Naturally, such a generous offer surprised Shouri. The Klein Foundation was THE company of all time, they controlled probably the most wealth in the entire world. So to say any of their resources were now at his fingertips, it was as if the world itself was offered to Shouri on a silver platter. But of course, this was being provided by the child of the head of the family. The brunet Maestro was a bit suspicious of that offer. “Have you consulted your father at all about this?” he questioned.

“Why of course! He was also quite impressed with your handling of Zino. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to say he is aware of Zino’s tendencies. Any Maestro who has gained Zino’s respect is one worth keeping an eye on, not even going into the fact that you cured him of his ailment with such efficiency and discretion is worth a spot in our company’s payroll,” Elijah explained.

“Right.” There was much brewing in Shouri’s mind right now, but having the most powerful family at his back right now, he wanted to capitalize on it. “Elijah. I want the Klein Foundation to look into something for me.” His voice was unusually low, which both Rebecca and Taika picked up on – what was he about to ask for?

“Certainly! Anything in the world! What do you need?”

“I want to find a certain Resonator – a Fire-Shielding cat named Mila.”

----------------------------------------

“Do you think they’ll find her?” Taika asked after Elijah had taken his leave.

“If they really can’t find her…” Shouri paused for a moment. “I’ll have them put up a grave for her back home,” he spoke quietly.

Taika and Rebecca both went quiet, refusing to look at their Maestro – the implication was obvious and strong.

“So when are they letting you out of here bossman?” Rebecca said, attempting to distract from the heavy subject.

Shouri was more than happy to change topics “My rhythm burn has worn off, so they’re going to have Taika heal me tonight and double-check that I’m good to go with some scans,” Shouri explained.

“Why Taika and not one of their own healers?” Rebecca queried.

“Since we have a strong etude, her healing will always be more effective on me than anyone else,” the Maestro replied.

He threw himself back into his pillow. “Thank god too, I’m so sick of these health shakes they keep feeding me,” the Maestro grumbled, side-eying one that remained half-filled as his “breakfast” for the day.

“I’m excited,” Taika chimed in.

“Why’s that?” Rebecca raised a brow.

“I’ve… decided I want to be a doctor,” she admitted to her fellow fox. “So being able to help real doctors with healing someone is just want I want right now.” The lunar fox twiddled her thumbs.

“We can go look into getting you a medical bag and supplies tomorrow, kind of like the one Lee had.” Shouri patted the vixen’s head, earning a giggle. She then pulled her tuner out of her pocket.

“Oh, can I get these books?” she asked, turning the screen to the Maestro. He accepted the device and looked her selections over.

“These are the ones Lee recommended to you?” Shouri asked. Taika nodded eagerly in response.

Rebecca watched as Taika enthusiastically talked about all the stuff she wanted to do. It drew some contemplation from the fire fox. Shouri was the kind of Maestro who encouraged them to be more than just a Resonator. Elijah’s words came to mind, how it was a shame Rebecca wasn’t interested in the professional battling circuit. It was a shame, only because her training wouldn’t be put to use. Sure, they made a pretty sharp hunting Scherzando and all, but outside the really big ones, they weren’t a challenge.

What could she do with her life? She was basically free. Staying with Shouri was a top priority of hers, she’d never get this kind of treatment from any other Maestro. “Hrmph.” The vixen was frustrated.

“What’s up?” Shouri’s voice drew Rebecca from her thoughts.

“Nothing!” she snapped back instinctively.

His disapproving frown told her how he felt about that blatant lie. Her eyes darted between Taika and the bed. “It’s personal.” Once more a quick shot of her eyes bounced between her fellow Resonator and anywhere else in the room.

“I see.” Shouri hummed. “Taika.” He looked at the lunar fox.

“Yes, Sho?” She perked up when called on.

“Can you go to the nurses’ station and ask them to get breakfast for you and Rebecca?” he requested.

“Like last night with dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, be right back.”

And with that, Rebecca and Shouri had a moment alone. He wasn’t slick, and Rebecca knew what he was doing as soon as he called Taika’s name.

Regardless, she still spoke her mind. “I dunno what to do. You have a talent for robbing a girl of her purpose,” Rebecca admitted.

“Your purpose was never to be a thing. I’ll help you find what you want to do,” Shouri adamantly declared. Rebecca swooned, lowering her head.

“I’m not clear on the details at the moment, but I think we can collectively decide what we’re going to do with our lives.” Shouri reached over and pushed Rebecca’s chin up. “I mean, we’ve got a long long time to work it out, right?” He grinned toothily.

Poor Rebecca could do nothing but nod, her voice stuck in her throat as her heart attempted to beat its way out of her chest.

The way he was so open and honest with her – there was part of her that hated it, though that part was a loud minority, deep down she was absolutely loving every second of it.