He was quiet, unobtrusive and described himself as "happily dull". The only thing that stood out was his aversion to rain; on wet days he would almost run from the subway to the office. If asked about it he'd joke that he'd been a sugar cube in his last life, and change the subject.

In truth, the rain itself didn't bother him; he even enjoyed a light summer shower out in the country. His problem was with umbrellas. Seeing them near him in the street gave him an inexplicable dread. With their taut skin and spiny ribs they seemed to remind him of something he couldn't and didn't want to remember.

***

Bit of Usagi Yojimbo fan art. A minor and unnamed* character from a 1990 story Wings of Blood, transposed to a later and hopefully safer era.

* I call him Taro. It's dangerous not having a name. Ask any redshirt. ;)