| "I sold off the stuff for a nice 50 thousand, with a few magical trinkets to keep. I liked the statue... I looked at it again. I tried to pronounce the words. I chanted them once, and all of a sudden, the statue evaporated, and inf ront of me, two deep, golden eyes appeared. A panther."
Maeroko: Oh...
"The panther stood there, saying nothing, doing nothing. I looked at it."
Maeroko: Er... hello?
"He crept up and nuzzled me."
Maeroko: What's your name, boy?
"He stood silent."
Maeroko: Okay, maybe you're not a male... are you a lady, my friend?
"The panther nodded. I wasn't surprised. The creature was from out of this realm."
Maeroko: So what's you name?
"The panther did nothing once again."
Maeroko: How about I give you one? Let's see... how's Maki sound to you?
"She licked me once. I assumed she like the name."
Maeroko: Okay, how do I make you a statue again?
"She stepped around a bit, and then moved off to the side. On the ground was the inscription again."
Maeroko: So I say it, and you return to your original state? Okay, lemme have a go...
"I spoke the words, and Maki dematerialized."
Maeroko: Hmm... How's about we go to Loko? You and me, we could get paid easy!
"I felt her conscience within my mind. In there, she could speak to me."
Maki: Whatever you wish, Master... As long as you and I stay relatively unharmed, I'm happy.
Maeroko: Okay... Just tell me one thing: Why me? I don't seem to matter that much.
Maki: But you are my master... we share an eternal bond. That fool wizard got scared of me and blocked me from his mind. I don't like to be shunned. I just want a friend.
Maeroko: So do I. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship...
"I headed to the inn to see if there were any horses left. Sadly, there were none."
Maki: Don't worry, Master. You can ride me. I can bear near any weight.
Maeroko: Near? Well, whatever. Just stop calling me Master. Call me Maeroko.
"She agreed. We left under the cover of night, and headed off to Loko. At the speed Maki was going at, we'd make it to Loko in a day, and she only needed about an hour's worth of rest. Things are different in an alternate realm, I guess."
__________________ 
"My word is my honor. My honor is my life."
-- Demonchild, Angelkin, the Blackest Seraph, the Final Warrior
"Cut down the Gods if they stand in you way."
-- Hagakure |