Even Samurai enjoy a post credit scene. Especially ones with their own epigraph.

  -One of the many voices in my head.

  *****

  Sports Ball Hitting Stick Guy and Fromage Flinger sit half sprawled out on the floor of the room of as yet unnamed new Samurai, who lays sleeping in their hospital bed. Quiet sounds echo outside the closed door as hospital staff and members of the PMC take care of the few other survivors and check for antithesis remnants.

  “Lot’s Wife?”

  “Huh? Where’d that come from?” Sports ball asked Fromage.

  “You know, from the bible, when Lot and his family run away. She gets turned to salt.”

  “Yes, but our sleeping friend calcifies things, not salt. Plus, Lot’s wife became salt, God or whoever did the salting.”

  “Damn you’re right. How about… Mechdusa?”

  “Medusa I get, but where’s the mech coming from?”

  Fromage paused in thought as they stared at the sleeping Samurai in the bed. “I mean, they don’t look like they’ll be running on their own two feet anytime soon, so I figured they might be mecha inclined?”

  “Admit it, you were just looking for a different way to say Medusa.” Sports shot back.

  “How about Gorgonzola?” He continued.

  “Hey! Cheeze is my thing! No matter how much my moniker annoys me sometimes. I’m not even french!”

  “Somnolent, something… maybe?”

  “Whoa big word there, guy who calls a cricket bat a sports stick.” Fromage replied while making air quotes. “What does that event mean?”

  “I forget the official definition, but it’s something about being sleepy, I think.”

  “I mean, that fits their current state, but I’m sure after spending a few points, sleeping will be the last thing on their mind.”

  “Hmm yeah… White Queen?”

  “Melty says they're non-binary.”

  “Right forgot. Sorry sleeping stranger”

  “That’s not bad.” Fromage shrugged.

  “Sleeping stranger? Sounds like a creepy stalker.”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Iron Jotun, Argent Aegis, Giggle Box?”

  “Where are any of those coming from Cheesy? How do they relate to what we saw them do?”

  “I dunno, at least I’m putting out ideas! This is our first chance to name a Newbie! Gotta put some effort in Sporty! You’d probably call them “Lays in bed and makes statues” LiBaMS, or something.”

  “I didn’t pick my name, my sister did, sorta… Paris Plasterer?”

  “Nice, got some potential, I like it. Hmmmm, Salt Mime?”

  “Swinging back around to salt are we? I do like the theme… but mime seems off. Unless when they wake up we realise they have no voice.”

  The pair drifted into companionable silence, letting their minds and bodies relax and come down from the endorphin highs of fighting the antithesis.

  Sports Ball spoke softly, their eyes closed. “Did you see that one a few doors down? With the spikes through it? Looked like it had been chewed on, before it solidified. Think maybe it started to calcify from the inside, and the others tried to eat it?”

  “Nah, I was too busy trying to break the one stuck half way through the door, so I could check on the lady inside.”

  “Right yeah, forgot.”

  “How was she?”

  “Frightened, but also resigned. I mean she survived today, but like, we all know why people get put in this part of the hospital.”

  Silence reigned for a few heart beats.

  “Hey Melty, what would it cost to give the few people left in this wing a few more decent years?”

  “Whatever it costs,” Sports Ball interrupted, “I’ll cover half.”

  Gasps and the clatter of boxes appearing out of thin air sounded softly through the door. Exhausted silence filled the room once again.

  A new somewhat hoarse voice chimed in from on the bed. “You know, I used to dream about one of you visiting our little dungeon of the dyeing and doing just that. Thank you.”

  Two tired Samurai stared up at the bed, tired minds trying to catch up.

  “I rather liked the salt one, or the plaster of paris idea. I used to love making crafts.”

  They paused.

  “Squire Sqyire thinks I should go with something more Knightly.”

  “Melty likes to binge watch entire decades of fictional media.”

  “You say the strangest out of context things Cheesy.”

  “Hey! It was totally in context. I was establishing a bond based on quirky AI habits.”

  Raey sighed softly, a smile stretching on their lips. “I’m going to need a coffee if you two are going to stick around.”

  The Samurai on the floor were jolted to alertness as Raey sat up quickly and almost fell out of bed, a manic grin on their face. “I can drink coffee again! Squire, your knight needs caffeine!” The room paused as a metallic cup popped into existence on the bedside table.

  Raey put their head in their hands. “Oh god, he’s got me doing it too.”

  Picking up the cup, Raey leaned back in bed while sipping softly and smiling.

  “Good idea, name time can resume later. Time for snacks.” Fromage said, as a charcuterie board materialized on the floor beside them.

  “Agreed.” Mumbled Sports Ball through a mouth already stuffed full of crackers.

  *****

  Fin…

  “You totally should have been called Char-Cute-ery” He said with a wink at his cheesy friend.

  She punched him in the arm.

  “Get a room, this one’s spoken for.” Came a voice from the bed.

  *****

  Now Fin.