To the eternal gratitude of his innocence, he had indeed been looking elsewhere when Isis revealed herself, and only turned his head back when she began to speak. His hand was still resting on the trunk of the mighty tree and his vision was still a bit blurry, but his ears were working just fine.
“I think Shade would agree with you. He punched me in the head twice.” Kitan told her, sticking his tongue out. “And the second time, he used a rock!” He reached back and rubbed his head all over, checking for sensitive spots. His hair was thrown all about and made a complete mess, adding to the steady growth of his wild, tattered appearance. He wasn’t sure whether he was fortunate or not that his continued injuries were all in different places. It felt like his whole head was held between a giant crab’s pincers.
He wobbled over to his mentor, whereupon he plopped down into the bed of fresh spring growth which covered the clearing.
“Yeah” He said in response to her question about Marn and his father. He watched her combing her hair and became embarrassed that he had just messed up his own. He tried to emulate her by running his fingers through it, removing a full spectrum of tiny twigs and blades of grass in the process. “My dad doesn’t live in Marn, he lives a little ways off the road between Marn and Shim.” Unsurprisingly, he had completely missed the hostile undertones of her words, “He’s a hunter. I work as a messenger.”
The Kitsune's Legacy
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Last edited by Kitan on Sat Apr 12, 2014 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
"Werewolves.." muttered Isis when Kitan mentioned he had been punched in the head by Shade. An idiot's name likely belonged to an idiot. The fact that he happened to be a werewolf was just further confirmation to her. If Isis could help it, Kitan would not be returning to those two. It was bad for a kitsune to be with its natural enemies. To their own kind they were drawn, and it was only with their own kind that they flourished. Honestly, the dwarf for a father was not much better, but at least dwarves were not known for their inherent savagery.
Coming her claws through her orange hair, she listened to his explanation.
"A messenger for who? For your father?" She waited for a response. "Funny you should say that at all. Kitsunes were created by Inari as messengers for her," she mentioned. It was not really much of a coincidence, but he was so interested in kitsune culture that she couldn't help herself.
Coming her claws through her orange hair, she listened to his explanation.
"A messenger for who? For your father?" She waited for a response. "Funny you should say that at all. Kitsunes were created by Inari as messengers for her," she mentioned. It was not really much of a coincidence, but he was so interested in kitsune culture that she couldn't help herself.
shaam hai, jaam hai, aur hai nasha
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
“Huh? Oh! No, I work for the postal service in Marn. It’s all super important.” His eyes lit up with the light that so frequently visited them at the new knowledge. He was a real kitsune after all, following the divine plan of this... Inari. Who he still knew basically nothing about, on reflection. Oh well, one thing at a time.
His eyes flickered down and he pushed at some of the strands of grass with a couple of fingers. He didn’t really want to breach the topic, since he was fairly certain it was something that negatively distinguished him from the rest of the kitsune. He supposed it would never get better if he didn’t just admit it to her, though. “Um... Hey, sorry if this is sort of out of nowhere, but how common is it for kitsune to have... vision, delusion-y things?”
His eyes flickered down and he pushed at some of the strands of grass with a couple of fingers. He didn’t really want to breach the topic, since he was fairly certain it was something that negatively distinguished him from the rest of the kitsune. He supposed it would never get better if he didn’t just admit it to her, though. “Um... Hey, sorry if this is sort of out of nowhere, but how common is it for kitsune to have... vision, delusion-y things?”
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
The postal service. That was an interesting job to have, Isis thought. She could see why he might get a job like that, as it required nothing except running. He was faster and more maneuverable than any man on a horse. Isis wouldn't be surprised of the postal service had fashioned an express post with Kitan's name stamped on it.
Sitting on the grass, they were close enough to one another that Isis could reach over and touch him. She scooted nearer to him and just as he started to speak, she started picking out the bits of dirt and leaves that he had missed in his hair. Primping him the way a sister would, she could not help but once more be reminded of her brother, Kageku. Then, Kitan spoke of delusions. Isis furrowed her brow, combing his hair and thinking to herself about what he might mean.
"Do they come in the shape of foxes, or are they blurry?"
Kageku had had a strange affinity with imaginary friends he called 'spirits'. Their parents had told them that these were gifts from Inari to help him in his tasks. They were like guides, and only some kitsunes could see them. Isis had always assumed that this was complete bullshit, and that Kageku had been making it up for attention. It seemed like something he would do, but Kitan had a more innocent air about him.
Sitting on the grass, they were close enough to one another that Isis could reach over and touch him. She scooted nearer to him and just as he started to speak, she started picking out the bits of dirt and leaves that he had missed in his hair. Primping him the way a sister would, she could not help but once more be reminded of her brother, Kageku. Then, Kitan spoke of delusions. Isis furrowed her brow, combing his hair and thinking to herself about what he might mean.
"Do they come in the shape of foxes, or are they blurry?"
Kageku had had a strange affinity with imaginary friends he called 'spirits'. Their parents had told them that these were gifts from Inari to help him in his tasks. They were like guides, and only some kitsunes could see them. Isis had always assumed that this was complete bullshit, and that Kageku had been making it up for attention. It seemed like something he would do, but Kitan had a more innocent air about him.
shaam hai, jaam hai, aur hai nasha
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Kitan made a high pitched squeak when Isis started prodding his hair. She had accidentally touched one of the sore sports. He lowered his head a bit so she wouldn’t have to reach as much.
“Um... no.” He replied, both surprised and relieved to hear that there was any sort of basis for his delusions in his species at all. “They aren’t always foxes. They only appear after I cast an illusion, like I just did,” he pointed to the tree where he had crept along, “and they are very, very clear. They look real. Sometimes they are random objects, sometimes they are animals, and sometimes they act intelligent. And... hostile.” He shuddered, recalling all too vividly the time one had impersonated his father, only to warp his features into those of a corpse.
“But lately, there has been this other one. It’s only been twice, but it is the first time they’ve ever been consistent at all. It’s this magical, floating person in a white robe like yours,” he reached out and pulled at the edge of her robe, down by her feet, before lifting his hands up to cover his appearance, “but with a hood and paper over his face. The paper had a bunch of weird symbols on it.”
He looked back up at Isis, wondering how she was going to take this. “To... be honest, I think it led me to you. Not right now, but when we first met. It showed up again when you ran off, but it didn’t lead me to you that time.”
“Um... no.” He replied, both surprised and relieved to hear that there was any sort of basis for his delusions in his species at all. “They aren’t always foxes. They only appear after I cast an illusion, like I just did,” he pointed to the tree where he had crept along, “and they are very, very clear. They look real. Sometimes they are random objects, sometimes they are animals, and sometimes they act intelligent. And... hostile.” He shuddered, recalling all too vividly the time one had impersonated his father, only to warp his features into those of a corpse.
“But lately, there has been this other one. It’s only been twice, but it is the first time they’ve ever been consistent at all. It’s this magical, floating person in a white robe like yours,” he reached out and pulled at the edge of her robe, down by her feet, before lifting his hands up to cover his appearance, “but with a hood and paper over his face. The paper had a bunch of weird symbols on it.”
He looked back up at Isis, wondering how she was going to take this. “To... be honest, I think it led me to you. Not right now, but when we first met. It showed up again when you ran off, but it didn’t lead me to you that time.”
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Isis flinched a bit at Kitan's squeak. She resumed grooming him, taking care not to pull at his many tangles or poke the scalp. His hair was very similar to her own, although a bit greasier since he was male. His explanation of the visions was strange and one she had certainly never heard before. She did not have these visions, and the ones that Kageku had supposedly had were a little bit different in circumstance.
Isis listened until he started to describe the paper on the vision's face. She stopped grooming Kitan, and her breath froze in a soft gasp. Kitan looked at her, as if expecting some response, but she appeared for the moment to be petrified by something. Some paper-faced monstrosity had led Kitan to her. This was something quite disturbing to her, and she wondered if there was some evil force behind it.
"Uh.." Two blinks. After hesitation, she resumed her task of grooming this mess of a head. Isis had no idea how he had gotten himself so tangled with a bit of running. "I don't know about them happening after weaving an illusion, but I knew someone who had visions. He always said they were more clear than the illusions," she explained. "Perhaps it is because of your repressed abilities; the visions are just morphed from some inherent knowledge you have within you that you can't reach yet."
This was, for all intents and purposes, complete crap. She had no idea what she was talking about. It was all guesswork. "They might be controlled or go away entirely if you can practice enough to unlock your potential."
Isis listened until he started to describe the paper on the vision's face. She stopped grooming Kitan, and her breath froze in a soft gasp. Kitan looked at her, as if expecting some response, but she appeared for the moment to be petrified by something. Some paper-faced monstrosity had led Kitan to her. This was something quite disturbing to her, and she wondered if there was some evil force behind it.
"Uh.." Two blinks. After hesitation, she resumed her task of grooming this mess of a head. Isis had no idea how he had gotten himself so tangled with a bit of running. "I don't know about them happening after weaving an illusion, but I knew someone who had visions. He always said they were more clear than the illusions," she explained. "Perhaps it is because of your repressed abilities; the visions are just morphed from some inherent knowledge you have within you that you can't reach yet."
This was, for all intents and purposes, complete crap. She had no idea what she was talking about. It was all guesswork. "They might be controlled or go away entirely if you can practice enough to unlock your potential."
shaam hai, jaam hai, aur hai nasha
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Kitan’s face fell. Her response was not so different from the one he had been given by a mage some time ago. He took it to mean she didn’t really know anything, for once managing to infer the true meaning behind her words.
“That’s okay.” He said “I’ve asked mages too. They didn’t know anything more.”
He realized he had forgotten to mention more details. “They also don’t make any noise, just like my illusions. Well, they used to. Now that I think about it though, the delusion didn’t make any noise when I was trying to find you. I guess that means they don’t grow with my abilities. That’s nice.”
His hair now fully groomed, he pulled back, smiling. “You know, since I made that silent bubble, I guess I have another one coming. We could try and talk with it, or something, when it comes back.”
“That’s okay.” He said “I’ve asked mages too. They didn’t know anything more.”
He realized he had forgotten to mention more details. “They also don’t make any noise, just like my illusions. Well, they used to. Now that I think about it though, the delusion didn’t make any noise when I was trying to find you. I guess that means they don’t grow with my abilities. That’s nice.”
His hair now fully groomed, he pulled back, smiling. “You know, since I made that silent bubble, I guess I have another one coming. We could try and talk with it, or something, when it comes back.”
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Kitan's response did not please Isis. Prior to this point, she had seemed like the all-knowing Goddess that she was. To be confronted with a question she not only did not know the answer to, but that he knew she did not know the answer to, was embarrassing and frustrating. To seem ignorant in any way was not a part of the image she had been attempting to create; she cursed herself for her witless answer.
Isis did not have anything to add to his revelation that the visions did not grow with him. She was annoyed, and tensed up in spite of her efforts to maintain a calm air. She moved her hands away from his hair and delicately itched at the fur of her neck, looking up at the sky in thought. Listening to Kitan's suggestion, she was silent for a moment before speaking again.
"So other people can see them too?" This was something wholly different than Kageku's imaginary friends. It was an ability she had obviously never encountered before, and she wanted to know as much about it as possible to see how it could be useful. "Let's do that then. Let's talk to it and see what happens!"
Her excitement was genuine, although she was still disappointed about his last question.
Isis did not have anything to add to his revelation that the visions did not grow with him. She was annoyed, and tensed up in spite of her efforts to maintain a calm air. She moved her hands away from his hair and delicately itched at the fur of her neck, looking up at the sky in thought. Listening to Kitan's suggestion, she was silent for a moment before speaking again.
"So other people can see them too?" This was something wholly different than Kageku's imaginary friends. It was an ability she had obviously never encountered before, and she wanted to know as much about it as possible to see how it could be useful. "Let's do that then. Let's talk to it and see what happens!"
Her excitement was genuine, although she was still disappointed about his last question.
shaam hai, jaam hai, aur hai nasha
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Kitan’s tail straighted and his ears flicked up. He was frowning. He hadn’t meant to mislead Isis. “Oh! Um. No. I’m sorry. Only I can see them, a-as far as I’m aware.” He supposed it might have something to do with being a kitsune, or being able to create illusions, but it didn’t seem likely.
“I just meant that I could tell you what it is doing. And then maybe you could sort of... tell me what to do.” He fidgeted around, as even thinking about his delusions made him uncomfortable. “I’ve never made any progress with these things, but this one seems more receptive and smart. It helped me win a card game earlier, well, not win. The game didn’t last long because the werewolves got bored.”
He realized he was getting off topic and hopped back and forth, switching his feet rapidly. He was feeling pretty foolish in front of Isis! He started to blush a little, still holding to his desire to impress her. “But you’re really smart! Maybe we can get answers out of it, somehow.”
His ears dropped. “Aw, I know that must sound really unlikely, but I think it might work? Maybe?” His tail wagged again, but only twice before dropping to a halt. His hands were clamped together as if he was begging Isis for something.
“I just meant that I could tell you what it is doing. And then maybe you could sort of... tell me what to do.” He fidgeted around, as even thinking about his delusions made him uncomfortable. “I’ve never made any progress with these things, but this one seems more receptive and smart. It helped me win a card game earlier, well, not win. The game didn’t last long because the werewolves got bored.”
He realized he was getting off topic and hopped back and forth, switching his feet rapidly. He was feeling pretty foolish in front of Isis! He started to blush a little, still holding to his desire to impress her. “But you’re really smart! Maybe we can get answers out of it, somehow.”
His ears dropped. “Aw, I know that must sound really unlikely, but I think it might work? Maybe?” His tail wagged again, but only twice before dropping to a halt. His hands were clamped together as if he was begging Isis for something.
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Kitan corrected her, and his flustered expression made Isis tilt her orange head to one side, wearing a lop-sided smile as he tried to further explain his plan. "So I get to play mediator," she said, but he kept going. He said this vision seemed different than the others. Isis put her hand in front of her mouth to hide her smile, which just made it more obvious. She found his fidgeting rather adorable, but more than that she felt a need to calm him down. His tangent was completely lost on her as she herself had a "vision", thinking about possible outcomes for this little meeting in the woods.
Two foxes. Two genders. She wondered.
Kitan bounced to his feet and was dancing back and forth. Isis stood as well because instinctively she felt submissive when physically lower than him. As he spoke, she once again melted back to her youthful human form. A good eye might have noticed that her skin was tanner and cleaner than it had been before, if only slightly. So rarely did she take this form that she struggled to maintain consistency. The tattered robe became a clean dress once again, this time with a little "v" in the neckline.
Tired of feeling ignorant, Isis stepped uncomfortably close to Kitan until her body was only a few inches from him. Their faces were so close that the scent of his skin was overwhelming, even to her human senses.
"I'm sure we can make it work," she whispered. Knowing he would continue to flounder, she sealed her actions by quickly putting her lips to his and kissing him. The moment was brief, for she took control and then stepped back and resumed her innocence; she looked down, clasped her hands together and spun slowly in a small arc.
Two foxes. Two genders. She wondered.
Kitan bounced to his feet and was dancing back and forth. Isis stood as well because instinctively she felt submissive when physically lower than him. As he spoke, she once again melted back to her youthful human form. A good eye might have noticed that her skin was tanner and cleaner than it had been before, if only slightly. So rarely did she take this form that she struggled to maintain consistency. The tattered robe became a clean dress once again, this time with a little "v" in the neckline.
Tired of feeling ignorant, Isis stepped uncomfortably close to Kitan until her body was only a few inches from him. Their faces were so close that the scent of his skin was overwhelming, even to her human senses.
"I'm sure we can make it work," she whispered. Knowing he would continue to flounder, she sealed her actions by quickly putting her lips to his and kissing him. The moment was brief, for she took control and then stepped back and resumed her innocence; she looked down, clasped her hands together and spun slowly in a small arc.
shaam hai, jaam hai, aur hai nasha
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
At first, Kitan could not understand what was happening. All rational thought had fled him as he attempted to comprehend his first kiss, as if a great haze had wrapped around his mind and caused each realization to become hopelessly lost. All he could think of was light, ecstasy, and how pleasant her lips felt on his.
Though rational thought remained beyond him, his body knew how to act. He started moving forwards to hold her and return her kiss; his eyes shut of their own volition as he focused only on the bliss of the situation.
He was jarred from this dreamlike state when his attempts to return her affection led to him stumbling forwards, Isis having somehow vanished from in front of him. Too agile to trip, he nevertheless was forced to put his hands out to his sides in an attempt to regain balance. The fog on his thoughts was dispelled with such prompt speed that it seemed his memory had gone with it, as Kitan struggled to remember what had just happened.
As soon as it hit him he froze in a half-crouched stagger. His mouth was slightly open and his naive eyes went wide with wonder. His lips twitched oddly as he attempted to make some comment, succeeding only in producing the confused gibberish: “blithl... blethe?”
It took Kitan another moment, but he finally remembered that Isis was probably still watching him. The thought jolted him back to full attention. Freed from paralysis, his ears flew upwards, his tail straightened, and his cheeks exploded into a full red. He vocalized “I... um” before finally reassuming a normal posture and twiddling his thumbs. He stared at them, thoroughly embarrassed by both his actions and hers.
But he was still smiling, a soft little smile that spoke of his youth and joy. His head remained facing down, but his eyes slowly rolled upwards to look at Isis. Slowly but surely, his head rose to face her. He tried to start speaking twice to no avail, his mouth opening once before closing again each time. It was as if he feared the sound would make him forget the kiss as it escaped his lips.
Desperately searching for something to say, he eventually blurted out, his voice’s pitch quite high, “I’m sorry!” despite not understanding what he could be sorry for. Immediately realizing his foolish mistake, he clamped his hands over his mouth. He stumbled backwards. Ever a good natured soul, not one to dwell on things, Kitan started giggling happily. He lowered his hands a bit and looked at Isis with happy eyes, like his behavior was a funny joke.
He felt happy in ways he had never felt happy before, and ever was the little shifter eager to explore.
Though rational thought remained beyond him, his body knew how to act. He started moving forwards to hold her and return her kiss; his eyes shut of their own volition as he focused only on the bliss of the situation.
He was jarred from this dreamlike state when his attempts to return her affection led to him stumbling forwards, Isis having somehow vanished from in front of him. Too agile to trip, he nevertheless was forced to put his hands out to his sides in an attempt to regain balance. The fog on his thoughts was dispelled with such prompt speed that it seemed his memory had gone with it, as Kitan struggled to remember what had just happened.
As soon as it hit him he froze in a half-crouched stagger. His mouth was slightly open and his naive eyes went wide with wonder. His lips twitched oddly as he attempted to make some comment, succeeding only in producing the confused gibberish: “blithl... blethe?”
It took Kitan another moment, but he finally remembered that Isis was probably still watching him. The thought jolted him back to full attention. Freed from paralysis, his ears flew upwards, his tail straightened, and his cheeks exploded into a full red. He vocalized “I... um” before finally reassuming a normal posture and twiddling his thumbs. He stared at them, thoroughly embarrassed by both his actions and hers.
But he was still smiling, a soft little smile that spoke of his youth and joy. His head remained facing down, but his eyes slowly rolled upwards to look at Isis. Slowly but surely, his head rose to face her. He tried to start speaking twice to no avail, his mouth opening once before closing again each time. It was as if he feared the sound would make him forget the kiss as it escaped his lips.
Desperately searching for something to say, he eventually blurted out, his voice’s pitch quite high, “I’m sorry!” despite not understanding what he could be sorry for. Immediately realizing his foolish mistake, he clamped his hands over his mouth. He stumbled backwards. Ever a good natured soul, not one to dwell on things, Kitan started giggling happily. He lowered his hands a bit and looked at Isis with happy eyes, like his behavior was a funny joke.
He felt happy in ways he had never felt happy before, and ever was the little shifter eager to explore.
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Isis had kissed and been kissed many times in her lifetime. She knew the lips of humans quite well; it was one of the things she could grant to the species. Human lips were full and rich with taste and texture. Their warmth and the electricity sent through to another pair was unlike anything in most of the animal world. Isis made sure the kiss was brief so that Kitan did not clue into her experience with the action.
He however, had other ideas. His staggering forwards was unexpected and sweet. The loss of words was more what she had expected from him. He had no idea how to act or behave, and certainly had little clue as to what had just occurred. While Isis did have the ability to seduce the weak-minded, she did not need or desire to in this case. One of the things she enjoyed in life was allowing other beings to have their own interesting reactions to her. This was her favorite form of entertainment.
Kitan was, or at least, looked like he was at an age where she could do whatever it was she wanted with him. Sex was obviously not something he had ever experienced before, but that was not on her agenda. The kiss was more like a seed. The longer she waited after the kiss to do anything else, the better the result would be. The kiss had sent little heat waves through her body, but more than that it had created a new form of bond. Their friendship would not easily be forgotten now, which was exactly the way she wanted it. The goal was to hook him to her. The goal was nothing short of obsession.
Kitan giggled. Isis granted him a warm smile and began to laugh with him.
Although he had apologized, she made no move to accept such a silly apology. Isis certainly was not about to apologize. She did not feel embarrassed, but she tried to keep her eyes flitting about and fingers fidgety. That way he would think she was just as nervous and confused as he was. The important thing was that she would now be seen through a new lens: the one closer to his loins than his brain. It seemed to be working given his inability to speak for a full minute.
"I have an idea!" She put both hands in front of her mouth, like she had the most funny idea in the world. "They've got a spit roaster in the Shim market and I have a craving for chicken," said Isis. She had something a little less honest in mind than a sweet date to buy roasted chicken. He didn't need to know that.
Bounding away from him, she turned around to say "come on!" before darting back the way she had come. The sun was still high, but she still figured he could pull off what she wanted.
He however, had other ideas. His staggering forwards was unexpected and sweet. The loss of words was more what she had expected from him. He had no idea how to act or behave, and certainly had little clue as to what had just occurred. While Isis did have the ability to seduce the weak-minded, she did not need or desire to in this case. One of the things she enjoyed in life was allowing other beings to have their own interesting reactions to her. This was her favorite form of entertainment.
Kitan was, or at least, looked like he was at an age where she could do whatever it was she wanted with him. Sex was obviously not something he had ever experienced before, but that was not on her agenda. The kiss was more like a seed. The longer she waited after the kiss to do anything else, the better the result would be. The kiss had sent little heat waves through her body, but more than that it had created a new form of bond. Their friendship would not easily be forgotten now, which was exactly the way she wanted it. The goal was to hook him to her. The goal was nothing short of obsession.
Kitan giggled. Isis granted him a warm smile and began to laugh with him.
Although he had apologized, she made no move to accept such a silly apology. Isis certainly was not about to apologize. She did not feel embarrassed, but she tried to keep her eyes flitting about and fingers fidgety. That way he would think she was just as nervous and confused as he was. The important thing was that she would now be seen through a new lens: the one closer to his loins than his brain. It seemed to be working given his inability to speak for a full minute.
"I have an idea!" She put both hands in front of her mouth, like she had the most funny idea in the world. "They've got a spit roaster in the Shim market and I have a craving for chicken," said Isis. She had something a little less honest in mind than a sweet date to buy roasted chicken. He didn't need to know that.
Bounding away from him, she turned around to say "come on!" before darting back the way she had come. The sun was still high, but she still figured he could pull off what she wanted.
shaam hai, jaam hai, aur hai nasha
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Kitan blinked at the abrupt change, barely registering that she had just sprinted off into the woods. He did hope that her running off without warning wouldn’t become a habit, though he could understand why she was nervous now! He touched his lips once, imagining things. His father had never told him much about romance, but he was pretty certain being kissed was a good start!
Without further thought to the matter, he darted after her. At least this time, catching up was easy: she was in human form, and wearing a dress besides! He vaulted over the underbrush, kicking off of trees when necessary, and within moments was jogging beside her.
Of course, this was when she shifted. Kitan hadn’t had time to notice any expressions, but he was forced to try and keep the pace yet again. He bet if he could shift, he would be able to run even faster! Although, he supposed it was possible she was going easy on him. She might be able to run even faster and was only controlling herself for his sake. It was a somber thought, and briefly brought a frown to his young face. Kitan’s features set themselves with determination as he resolved to make up for it by keeping pace now.
One might have mistaken them for a pair of howling bursts of wind, so fast were they as the shot forwards towards the market. Though at such speeds most objects were blurred, Kitan was still able to make out where the road was by the conspicuous absence of trees. The dirt road itself was hidden from sight by the underbrush, so Kitan leapt up into a tree for confirmation.
He landed roughly on the side of the trunk in a position that made him look like a woodpecker. His legs pumped furiously to scamper upwards. After a short moment of scraping across the bark, only his firm calluses and thick bandages to protect him against scrapes, he found the traction he needed and launched himself to the lowest hanging branches. He looked forwards and saw his eyes had not misled him. The road led into Shim just ahead of them, and even without a fox’s nose he could smell the chicken Isis had mentioned. His sensitive ears could hear the spit roast slowly turning the meat.
The little fox couldn’t keep his mouth from watering. He, like all foxes, did love chicken. Eagerly, he looked to Isis, expecting her to become human. People tolerated his ears and tail, but he was just savvy enough to understand that most wouldn’t accept a fox-faced lady. He dropped to all fours, perched on the branch with his tail dangling off one side, and waited for Isis to take the initiative.
Without further thought to the matter, he darted after her. At least this time, catching up was easy: she was in human form, and wearing a dress besides! He vaulted over the underbrush, kicking off of trees when necessary, and within moments was jogging beside her.
Of course, this was when she shifted. Kitan hadn’t had time to notice any expressions, but he was forced to try and keep the pace yet again. He bet if he could shift, he would be able to run even faster! Although, he supposed it was possible she was going easy on him. She might be able to run even faster and was only controlling herself for his sake. It was a somber thought, and briefly brought a frown to his young face. Kitan’s features set themselves with determination as he resolved to make up for it by keeping pace now.
One might have mistaken them for a pair of howling bursts of wind, so fast were they as the shot forwards towards the market. Though at such speeds most objects were blurred, Kitan was still able to make out where the road was by the conspicuous absence of trees. The dirt road itself was hidden from sight by the underbrush, so Kitan leapt up into a tree for confirmation.
He landed roughly on the side of the trunk in a position that made him look like a woodpecker. His legs pumped furiously to scamper upwards. After a short moment of scraping across the bark, only his firm calluses and thick bandages to protect him against scrapes, he found the traction he needed and launched himself to the lowest hanging branches. He looked forwards and saw his eyes had not misled him. The road led into Shim just ahead of them, and even without a fox’s nose he could smell the chicken Isis had mentioned. His sensitive ears could hear the spit roast slowly turning the meat.
The little fox couldn’t keep his mouth from watering. He, like all foxes, did love chicken. Eagerly, he looked to Isis, expecting her to become human. People tolerated his ears and tail, but he was just savvy enough to understand that most wouldn’t accept a fox-faced lady. He dropped to all fours, perched on the branch with his tail dangling off one side, and waited for Isis to take the initiative.
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
The smell was the first thing that hit Isis, and what a pungent aroma it was. Kitan landed in the trees, while she landed on the ground. Listening to Kitan's movements, she decided the trees were a good place to be and followed him up one, sitting on a branch a bit higher than him. The weight on the tree made it bend and moan.
Like a predator, her eyes narrowed and she tuned her ears toward the market. Her tails coiled around herself as she focused. She could not make out the square from here but knew that it was very close to the road. It had to be, or no idiot from Marn would ever bring anything to the square at all.
"So here's the plan," she shook herself, and in that shake her face, but only her face, became human. This was a bit of a jarring display. "I'll go in like this, and shop for a chicken. I'll barter with the salesman." Simple enough.
"Then you come in like a bolt of lightning and take the whole spit!" She started to snicker, and dropped from the tree to the ground, landing on fox feet. "Then, when he's distracted by you, I'll change, grab whatever he's got in front, and follow you."
Her plan was far from devious by her standards. Actually, it was only a way to introduce Kitan to the joys of thieving. He would be especially good at it, assuming he didn't seize up the way she'd seen him do when nervous.
"He'll never know what hit him! Trust me," she said, and grinned up at the boy in the tree. Of course, taking things from other people was not exactly ethical. It had been a long time since she'd thought about ethics, though, and she sort of forgot to give any kind of reasoning to why they had to steal. She just liked to do it for the fun of it.
Isis reached out her hand to him, inviting him to take it.
Like a predator, her eyes narrowed and she tuned her ears toward the market. Her tails coiled around herself as she focused. She could not make out the square from here but knew that it was very close to the road. It had to be, or no idiot from Marn would ever bring anything to the square at all.
"So here's the plan," she shook herself, and in that shake her face, but only her face, became human. This was a bit of a jarring display. "I'll go in like this, and shop for a chicken. I'll barter with the salesman." Simple enough.
"Then you come in like a bolt of lightning and take the whole spit!" She started to snicker, and dropped from the tree to the ground, landing on fox feet. "Then, when he's distracted by you, I'll change, grab whatever he's got in front, and follow you."
Her plan was far from devious by her standards. Actually, it was only a way to introduce Kitan to the joys of thieving. He would be especially good at it, assuming he didn't seize up the way she'd seen him do when nervous.
"He'll never know what hit him! Trust me," she said, and grinned up at the boy in the tree. Of course, taking things from other people was not exactly ethical. It had been a long time since she'd thought about ethics, though, and she sort of forgot to give any kind of reasoning to why they had to steal. She just liked to do it for the fun of it.
Isis reached out her hand to him, inviting him to take it.
shaam hai, jaam hai, aur hai nasha
Re: The Kitsune's Legacy
Kitan blinked, this not being what he had expected. Her unsettling appearance was not helping matters, as it only reinforced the notion that this was not something that he should be doing. Another source of discomfort was the small tree’s gradual bend to the ground. He edge closer to the center so that the tree sprung back up; the slow, shuffling manner in which he did so was a fairly obvious bid for time to decide.
He didn’t look at her strange human-face on a fox’s head, instead staring out over in the direction of the market. The foliage was such that he couldn’t really see anything. He was awfully hungry though. He had eaten nothing but a mouse for breakfast this morning. He was frowning quite widely.
He then remembered that Isis lived in the woods. She probably just hunted for food most of the time, and didn’t have any money, and now she was trying to be nice to him by getting city-people food. She probably didn’t know any other way to get city-people food. Kitan looked back up at her, feeling relieved.
“Um,” He started, a little bit nervous about correcting her. She often knew things that he didn’t. Maybe the person selling the chicken wouldn’t sell to kitsune, or something. “I have enough bishani for some chicken. It’s not as if we need the whole spit, so maybe we could just buy some.” He reached into a pocket and pulled out a little bag. A messenger’s salary wasn’t much, but he was fairly confident it would be enough. He reached out to put the bag of bishani in Isis' open hand.
"Besides, I know people from Shim, some of them are nice. I don’t want them to think ill of me."
He didn’t look at her strange human-face on a fox’s head, instead staring out over in the direction of the market. The foliage was such that he couldn’t really see anything. He was awfully hungry though. He had eaten nothing but a mouse for breakfast this morning. He was frowning quite widely.
He then remembered that Isis lived in the woods. She probably just hunted for food most of the time, and didn’t have any money, and now she was trying to be nice to him by getting city-people food. She probably didn’t know any other way to get city-people food. Kitan looked back up at her, feeling relieved.
“Um,” He started, a little bit nervous about correcting her. She often knew things that he didn’t. Maybe the person selling the chicken wouldn’t sell to kitsune, or something. “I have enough bishani for some chicken. It’s not as if we need the whole spit, so maybe we could just buy some.” He reached into a pocket and pulled out a little bag. A messenger’s salary wasn’t much, but he was fairly confident it would be enough. He reached out to put the bag of bishani in Isis' open hand.
"Besides, I know people from Shim, some of them are nice. I don’t want them to think ill of me."