=== Panette & Yunaka === --- C --- [Yunaka] Zappy morning, Panette! [Panette] Good morning, Yunaka. You seem to be in good spirits. As usual. [Yunaka] Always! It's one of my redeeming qualities. [Panette] Mm-hmm. In point of fact, I have been meaning to ask you about that. [Panette] Why do you insist on pretending to be cheerful all the time? [Yunaka] You think I'm acting? You think I'm so talented, I can keep it up all the time? I-I'm flattered! [Panette] Ah-ah-ah. Do not bluff a bluffer. [Panette] I can tell that this is not your true manner. [Panette] When I began serving the boss, I had to swap out my own dialect for a more proper one. [Panette] Since then, I have had a keen ear for others' false tongues. [Yunaka] Takes one to know one, doesn't it... [Yunaka] I can't answer your question, though. [Yunaka] If I spoiled the mystery, who would you harass with prying questions? My hands are tied. [Panette] Hm. So be it. [Panette] Forgive me for probing. [Panette] But this duplicity... Somehow it does not sit right with me. [Yunaka] Uh huh... --- B --- [Panette] Yunaka, I cannot help but wonder about your past. [Panette] I understand wanting to preserve some secrecy. But please...tell me a little about it, won't you? [Yunaka] OK... [Yunaka] My parents abandoned me when I was small. After that, growing up was anything but easy. [Yunaka] I don't like thinking about it. And I like talking about it even less. [Panette] I am so sorry. [Panette] I know well the pain of being neglected by one's parents. [Yunaka] You too? Really? [Panette] Alas, yes. My father was a hopeless drunk. My mother was always out partying. [Panette] Who knew that we hailed from such similar backgrounds? [Yunaka] I wouldn't have guessed. But it's reassuring, in a way. Maybe I feel a little less alone. [Panette] Hm?! [Yunaka] Bandits. Incoming on our position. [Yunaka] I count...nine. No─ten. [Panette] Thought they could get the jump on us, eh? We'll show them. [Panette] Listen up, pinheads! If I was you, I'd think twice about messing with me and her! [Panette] One more step and we'll turn your intestines into outtestines! Got it?! [Yunaka] We're not here to kill anyone. [Yunaka] But if you're here to be killed, well... My hands are tied. --- A --- [Yunaka] Hear that? Could be more bandits. [Panette] Oh? You goons back for seconds? [Panette] Ha! Ain't often I meet bandits who whine like kitty cats! [Yunaka] Oh, no no no, hold up. That actually was a cat. Tricksy little hairball set me on edge! [Panette] Oh! Right you are. What a relief! [Panette] I must say, Yunaka, I rather enjoy that vicious demeanor you adopt during combat. [Yunaka] I could say the same about you! You're usually so polite, but you really let 'em have it! [Panette] Yes. In moments of danger, I sometimes feel my blood boil as it used to. [Yunaka] I know the feeling. I slip into my old ways sometimes too. As you saw. [Yunaka] We do have a lot in common, don't we? But... Let's keep this our little secret. [Panette] Indeed. Which reminds me... I apologize for needling you about the way you speak. [Panette] Really, it was quite conceited of me. Glass houses and all that. [Yunaka] I get it. Some good came out of it, though. I learned my act needs work, for one thing. [Panette] We could practice together, perhaps? [Yunaka] Zappy! Great idea! [Panette] Um, you know, I have always meant to ask... [Panette] What is this "zappy" business all about? [Yunaka] Oh. Well, uh... [Panette] Yes? [Yunaka] That's another one of my mysteries! Wouldn't wanna spoil it until we know each other better. [Panette] Ah! In that case, you give me no choice. [Panette] I shall see to it that we become the very best of friends! --- S ---