=== Zelkov & Kagetsu ===
--- C ---

[Zelkov]
Hmm...
[Zelkov]
Yes. This is *acceptable.*
[Kagetsu]
Zelkov! Training bout! Now!
[Zelkov]
Yaah!
[Zelkov]
Must you insist on *startling* me so?
[Kagetsu]
Did I catch you off-guard? Haha, come now.
You are better than that.
[Kagetsu]
Our work for Princess Ivy demands unflappable
mettle! Your will must be steel!
[Kagetsu]
So, training bout! Face me!
[Zelkov]
Apologies, but I am presently *preoccupied.*
[Kagetsu]
What is it this time? Watching birds?
Sculpting clay?
[Kagetsu]
Your smirk tells me it must be some silly
new obsession.
[Zelkov]
I am painting. And I require *silence* to focus,
if you would be so kind.
[Kagetsu]
I knew it would be painting someday. Set it
aside for now. Single combat awaits!
[Zelkov]
This pursuit is *important* to me. Please find
another training partner.
[Kagetsu]
...
[Kagetsu]
Is this art of yours more important to you than
our friendship, Zelkov?
[Kagetsu]
You are my only colleague! It is important
we spend time together.
[Zelkov]
Mm-hmm...
[Kagetsu]
Too focused to respond. Ignoring me
completely. Seems I am alone again.
--- B ---

[Kagetsu]
Zelkov! Our time is at hand. Prepare yourself!
[Zelkov]
Again, I am *afraid* I must decline.
[Kagetsu]
Ugh! I tire of hearing that! It is not your right
to deny me this way!
[Kagetsu]
Face me in mock battle now, or...I will fight
your artwork in your place.
[Zelkov]
What?
[Kagetsu]
You always have time for some trivial
obsession! Never for your friend!
[Kagetsu]
How are we supposed to bond?!
[Zelkov]
Calm yourself. I hear your *concerns,* but
destroying my art will not make this better.
[Zelkov]
It would only *ensure* I not speak to you again.
Put down your weapon, Kagetsu.
[Kagetsu]
Hahaha!
[Zelkov]
What about this is *amusing* to you?
[Kagetsu]
This tense mood! Do you feel it? It is as if we
are rivals, destined for conflict!
[Kagetsu]
At last, you are taking me seriously!
[Kagetsu]
If you will not face me as my friend, then
at least you will do so as my opponent!
[Zelkov]
*Enough.*
[Kagetsu]
What, standing down already? Does your art
mean so little to you after all?
[Zelkov]
I have seen your eyes. You lack the conviction
of a killer. You are a *child* seeking attention.
[Kagetsu]
Child?! How dare you!
[Zelkov]
Leave me. This is a *genuine* warning.
[Kagetsu]
I get no say in this at all, do I?
--- A ---


[Kagetsu]
Zelkov! It is now time...
[Kagetsu]
for me to stop challenging you. It does not
matter anymore.
[Zelkov]
You seem less than *pleased* about it.
[Kagetsu]
I know that you...dislike me.
[Zelkov]
*Dislike* you? What makes you say so?
[Kagetsu]
Come on. It is clear you and Princess Ivy both
care little for me.
[Kagetsu]
It makes me sad. I...wanted to be friends.
[Zelkov]
*Friends*? Ugh, you are a fool.
[Zelkov]
I had meant to wait until Princess Ivy was
present to *reveal* this, but...
[Zelkov]
*Here* is what I have been painting.
[Kagetsu]
What is this?
[Zelkov]
My *completed* work. The three of us─you,
Princess Ivy, and myself.
[Kagetsu]
You...included me. Why?
[Zelkov]
Princess Ivy intended this as a gift for you.
To *celebrate.*
[Kagetsu]
Celebrate what?
[Zelkov]
The day she and I *met* you.
Have you forgotten?
[Zelkov]
Today is the anniversary of that day.
[Kagetsu]
Oh.
[Zelkov]
You came to Elusia Castle in search of
challenging *duels.*
[Zelkov]
Your search for stronger *opponents* led you
all the way from your homeland to us.
[Kagetsu]
I defeated every foe the castle could muster
for me...until you.
[Kagetsu]
That was my first ever defeat. I was crushed.
[Zelkov]
But King Hyacinth was *delighted* by your
skill. He pressed you into Princess Ivy's service.
[Kagetsu]
You and Princess Ivy had such looks on
your faces.
[Kagetsu]
You were both so displeased and so angry.
[Zelkov]
You had just cut your way through every castle
*guard* for reasons we could only guess at.
[Kagetsu]
Yes, it must have looked bad to you. I am sorry
for that.
[Zelkov]
I was indeed rather angry at the time, but
all is *forgiven* now.
[Zelkov]
Princess Ivy has forgiven you as well. That is
why she now *celebrates* the day we met.
[Zelkov]
You are important to her.
[Kagetsu]
Zelkov... Thank you...
[Zelkov]
Are you...*crying*?
[Zelkov]
No matter. I was about to go find Princess Ivy.
Perhaps you would *accompany* me?
[Kagetsu]
I will wait here. I don't want her to see me
this way.
[Zelkov]
Do not *concern* yourself about that.
[Zelkov]
Princess Ivy might actually *approve* of seeing
this side of you.
[Kagetsu]
Do you think so? Are you both so truly
accepting of me?
[Zelkov]
Come, Kagetsu.
[Kagetsu]
My heart bursts with love for you and Princess
Ivy! My exploded heart will love you forever!
--- S ---