[ if asked, souza would admit that it's only an assumption. every manifested blade thus far has been male--though souza himself is occasionally mistaken for a woman, and midare dresses as one--and.. in truth, who would know? even the saniwa had seemed surprised by most of them. perhaps this one will never obtain a human shape.

he lifts his fingers away once more, and they move almost unconsciously to the mark on his chest, hidden beneath his clothing. sometimes, it aches, a phantom pain-- remembering the moment it had been carved into him. ]

.. I'm glad. I'm glad that he's been of use. It's-- Most of the time, it's all we really want, to be of use to our owners.