Heh. I told him to focus on shears, specifically, when he was first practicing with it. Nowadays, even a chainsaw can't stand up to his version of hardened carbon.

[ He'd smiled to himself about it, back then, but he didn't (and doesn't) judge. Deep down he knows: all of the oddballs around him crave acceptance more than anything, and that's what he's tried to give them all these years.

The image of Magi fades from the plate, and — to his great surprise — he feels a little empty inside. He forces a smile. ]

Anyway, looks like they're putting out —