Story
Before dueling, Marshalbird always takes a moment to ponder: strike first, or salute with grace? It weighs every angle, draws on all its experience, and each time arrives at the same answer: the graceful salute. Yet each time afterward, it always feels a twinge of regret, for in its heart, however faintly, it hopes for its opponent to return the gesture. But this time is different. It has been observing this human for so long... Just as it leisurely unfurls its wings before the battle, a sudden certainty settles over it: maybe, just maybe, the moment has arrived at last.
