Thunderhead

The performance of Julius Caesar approaches, and Scythes Curie and Anastasia check into a hotel. They are visited by a “Tonist zealot pushing his absurd religion” (233), whom Citra mistakes for an attacker in disguise. The Tonist tries to share his unusual lifestyle and beliefs with Citra, but she breaks his arm when she thinks he is reaching for a weapon. When she realizes her mistake, Citra and Scythe Curie try to ease the Tonist’s pain with ice. He introduces himself as Brother McCloud, and despite the fact that Citra attacked him, he invites her and Scythe Curie to visit his monastery and learn more about the religion. Scythe Curie surprises Citra with her harsh dismissal of the Tonist beliefs, and she insults Brother McCloud for believing such nonsense about the so-called “Great Resonance.” When the Tonist leaves to return to his monastery, Scythe Curie explains that her brother joined a tone cult when she was very young, and he turned his back on his family. Scythe Curie believes the Tonists are fools, and she holds no respect for them. Because the Tonist beliefs resulted in her brother’s permanent death, she decided to become a scythe to “protect the rest of [her] family from such terrible things” (239).