Five Things Suzume Would Never Tell You About Herself
(But Kanon Knows Anyway)
One
Suzume is almost completely illiterate. While she is able to recognize most words in her native language, she is almost barely able to read or write in Estrelden. Her skills with a sword may be unmatched, but her skills with a pen clearly lack luster. This is because she was never formally taught these skills until she was 14 and it wasn’t until after she moved to Basileus with Kanon that she heard a single word outside her own language. This doesn’t deter her from trying to improve however. At least twice a week at her request, Kanon sits down and guides her partner through first grade level workbooks. It’s slow going, but contrary to what people may believe about Kanon, she is above all else, a very patient teacher and Suzume is grateful to have met her. Other times, Kanon will read short stories aloud. Suzume’s favorite genre are folktales and old fairytales because she likes the balance of whimsy and despair that is commonly found in them. Kanon often jokes that Suzume is a child in an adult’s body. Suzume never offers a response.
Two
Contrary to people’s assumptions, Suzume is not a talented cook. In fact, Kanon is the one who typically prepares meals for the two. As a child, Suzume had been raised as a “human weapon,” and thus never learned any homemaking skills. In terms of cooking, the most she can do are boiled eggs and sandwiches. Her favorite meal that Kanon makes are omelets with lots of mushrooms and cheese. In reality though, Suzume likes pretty much anything as long as there are eggs served. It reminds her of home. Her adoptive sister, Hotaru, used to volunteer her help on a local farm and would often bring them back as a special treat. It was a small luxury that meant a lot to Suzume, so even if they ate eggs at least 4 times a week sometimes, Kanon didn’t mind because it always made her partner happy.
Three
It’s not a secret that Suzume has a strong fondness for stuffed animals. In fact, she has a collection of exactly 127 that almost entirely fills her room. From domestic animals like dogs and cats to exotic ones like lions and tigers and even mythical ones like unicorns, there aren’t many creatures from the animal kingdom that she doesn’t have. She keeps her favorite creatures tucked in an alcove beside her bed. What most people don’t realize however, is that these creatures that are set apart are unique because they’re named after loved ones and each one is Suzume’s representation of them. She has a dragon named Bontenmaru, a tiger named Kaito, and a dove named Hotaru. In addition is the peacock, Minai, the elephant named Kougran, and the black panther, Sky. What is noticeably lacking however, is a creature named Kanon. Suzume takes great care in deciding what animal the people in her life remind her of and even though she is confident in her decisions, she is unable to clearly label her partner. To Suzume, Kanon is boisterous, facetious, and aggressive, but also strong, confident, and oddly sincere. She’s a paradox of things completely different from Suzume’s own self, and she didn’t know how to label her.
Four
Suzume is afraid of large bodies of water. Due to having never learned to swim, anything deeper than three feet makes her anxious. Her adoptive brother Kaito tried teaching her once, but she failed miserably and only succeeded in being even more afraid. Kanon always said she’d teach Suzume how to swim, but ever since her last experience, the swordsman would be paralyzed as soon as she got there. Just the mere thought of the unknown keeps Suzume a good 15 feet away from any edge and that’s where she liked it. Kanon always joked that Suzume is more like a cat than a sparrow in this way, but Suzume doesn’t care. She would rather be mocked and safe than respected and sorry.
Five
Suzume is a night owl. She only sleeps five hours a day which is two less than Kanon, and so with this extra time, she often likes taking late night strolls. Sometimes it’s so late at night, early morning is a more fitting label for her walks. Since the two live in the merchant district, the streets are generally empty and devoid of life other than the occasional bum or prostitute here and there. The area was generally crime free, but of course, living in a city like Basileus only ever invited the dangerous types to come out at every hour of the day. Suzume doesn’t feel unsafe though, on the contrary. She likes the loud silence of the world in those hours and how the darkness closes in on her. To her, it’s like a warm blanket and so she often takes side alleys where lamplights can’t touch her, even with the threat of an attack. She likes feeling like the world has come to a stop and she is all alone because it reminds her reality when Kanon isn’t around. Suzume thinks Kanon doesn’t know, but due to being a light sleeper, the mercenary is always aware of her partner’s nightly adventures and always keeps her ear open for when the door signifies Suzume’s return.
