Frozen Fool

[Strazio Rockwell]

As the thunderous noise died down Strazio uncovered his ears. The rapturous cacophony of Renzo’s newly acquired vuvuzela was downright biblical compared to his previous instrument. Even the snow seemed to absorb the unyielding vibrations of his pipe, taking on vibrations and resonating with the energetic call. Strazio scowled. His fingertips crackled with energy, spurned on by the thought of having to endure more sound-based torture. In his tempestuous pouting the mage did not notice Renzo’s approach until it was too late. The goliath wrapped one python around Strazio and pulled him close.

“My word, that was quite an invigorating donnybrook,” Renzo boomed, “you may not look like it, but you’ve got some respectable muscle, consider Renzo impressed.”

Strazio tried to buck the man’s grip, but his strength rivaled even that of The Rock’s. His sonorous voice resonated deep with Strazio’s bones, sending a strange wave of comfort through the mage’s body. Still Strazio struggled against his captor’s firm, yet gentle embrace.

“Now what brings you fine gentleman this from civilization?” Renzo asked.

Before Strazio could speak Gamzee spoke for him, “we’re heading to pick up a friend, poor guy is probably lonely without my shenanigans.”

“Ah, friendship, a noble pursuit,” Renzo responded, “fear not, Renzo the Great will accompany you across this frigid landscape!”

Strazio’s eyes went wide and he thrashed against Renzo’s grip, “no, no, no, we’ll be fine without you.”

“But my friend, it is the least Renzo the Magnanimous can do, after all this fine fellow restored Renzo’s ancestral vuvuzela,” Renzo said.

Gamzee answered for them both, “yes, to the motherfuckin’ yes, come with us buff bud and we’ll have all kinds of jolly times.”

“It is settled then” The goliath declared, “we three compatriots shall brave this blustering cold and forge a path to friendship, so sayeth Renzo the Great!”

To punctuate this Renzo reached into his rucksack and retrieved what appeared to be a golden dish of some sort. The dish was about the same diameter of a basketball and covered in ornate pictograms, much like the vuvuzela. Attached to one edge was a length of golden chain that Renzo held to suspend the dish in midair. Looped through two handles on its backside was a long wooden rod, with a rubber bumper on the end. The mighty man grabbed the rod and with a bit of flair he smacked the rubber end against the gong. The resulting sound echoed for miles, and were they atop a mountain, Strazio was certain it would have triggered an avalanche.

“Tally forth!” Renzo shouted and charged forward.

Gamzee and Straz shared a look of incredulous disbelief before following after the man.

“You have no idea where you’re going,” Strazio shouted after him.

“Fret not companion, Renzo’s glorious muscles shall guide us,” Renzo shouted, “they never lead Renzo astray!”