“You know,” Lopen said to Rua, “now would be an excellent time for you to decide that you’d like to be a Shardblade.” Rua wagged a crustacean finger at him. An annoyed gesture that conveyed, “You know you have to earn that.” “I will protect even those I hate,” Lopen said. “See? I can say it.” He dodged again. “It’s easy.” Rua-monster wagged another limb. “But I don’t hate anyone!” Lopen complained. “And nobody hates me. I’m The Lopen. How could they? These rules, sure, aren’t fair!”
