Chuuzaemon

In The Heart of the Forest, the locals trade in berries and songs, but the real currency is secrets whispered by the Mystic Cats. Chuuzaemon has nothing to trade but patience. Every dawn, they find a spot beneath an amber-leaved tree, their red poncho a silent shout against the green, their Meow Cap a hopeful prayer. The other chimps leave them honey cakes and invitations to dance, which they ignore with a stillness only the undead can muster. They aren't exploring the wilds for treasure or ancient ruins; their entire expedition is focused on the twitch of a whisker, the path of a silent paw. One evening, a calico cat finally emerged, not to speak of hidden tunnels, but to curl up on their lap and purr. The grim set of Chuuzaemon's jaw never changed, but the forest felt warmer.