Compatibility Revisited: A Nindroid Romance

Masters of Zigjitzu

When Zane arrives at the training course some days later, Pixal has already been exercising for a while. He sits down on the lawn and watches her flipping and jumping around the obstacles, and an involuntary smile appears on his face. She jumps off the last obstacle and notices him.

Pixal (out of breath, but beaming happily): Hey, Zane! Good morning.

Zane: Good morning, Pixal! It looks like you're enjoying yourself.

Pixal: For the first time since you rebooted me, I feel that my body is responding normally. And the exercise feels great. I have learned a lot on this course.

Zane: Sensei Li would approve of your attitude.

Pixal (laughing): Of my attitude, perhaps. But not of my technique. We haven't made too much progress since she first sent us onto the course together.

Zane: Yes, I think we are still far from mastering Zigjitzu.

Pixal: I don't care, today. Would you like to join me, just for the fun of it? (She holds out a hand and helps him to his feet. Still holding his hand, she pulls him to the course.) Ready? Go! (As she pushes herself off, their hands are surrounded by a sudden flash of energy, sending them off flying around opposite sides of the first obstacle and back to the center of the course.) Whoa! (She manages to stop next to a pole, causing Zane to almost crash into her. He flips over the pole, but is thrown off the course, while a rotating beam almost hits Pixal and forces her to dive headlong after Zane.) Ouch.

Zane (scrambling to his feet): You're ok? What happened just now?

Pixal: I don't know, but I think we should do it again. And this time, we don't stop after the first pole. Just let the energy take us around the next one. Come!

Zane: I like that thought. (He reaches out for her hand.) I think it helps us synchronizing our movements if we are in physical contact the moment we start running. (She takes his hand and they exchange a glance.) Go!

This time, they make it up to the forth obstacle before Pixal trips and jumps off the course.

Pixal: Ugh. I recall now that she said to never lose focus.

Zane (leaping after her): Don't ask me how many times I was thrown off Sensei Wu's course. Let's try again.

By the end of the morning, they manage to channel their energy into two perfect, mirrored zigzag lines through the course, miraculously avoiding every potential crash where their lines cross between obstacles. Their last jump brings them back to the ground, and they look at each other with excitement.

Pixal: That was it! We did Zigjitzu!

She looks as if she's going to hug him, but he has already turned away.

Zane (glancing back at the course): Yes, I think this is it. Let's do the way back, too.

Several successful runs later, happy and exhausted, they decide to finish training for the day. Without looking, Zane reaches out to switch off the course, unaware that Pixal's hand is already on the button. Their fingers touch, and they both withdraw their hands quickly.

Zane (after a brief silence): Umm ... Didn't you want to switch off the course?

Pixal: Yes. I will. (She reaches out again and presses the button.) Zane ... I think ... (She bites her lip.) I think I missed you.

Zane (raising his eyebrows): I was here, all the time.

Pixal: I know. I just mean ... It's nice to train with you. We get to see each other more often.

Zane: I like training with you, too. Particularly today. Together, we are about to master Zigjitzu. (He hesitates.) Would ... a hug be appropriate?

Pixal: You've never had to ask this question before.

Zane: Come on, then. (He opens his arms and she hugs him, burying her face in his shoulder. With a surprised look, he gently rubs her back, until she eventually breaks away from him.)

Pixal (without looking at him): Sorry.

Zane: You've never been sorry for a hug before.

She looks up and sees his smile, prompting her to smile back.

Pixal: You're right. I'm not sorry.

Zane (softly): And you shouldn't be.