2nd Tail - Original Recipe Kitsune

[whatthefoxsay]

Kira could be thankful that when she ended up in the forest, she had her katana with her. Maybe she would have been able to defend herself without it, but she didn't want to think about having to try.

On the first day, she spends most of her time keeping her distance from others, confused by how some of them seem inclined to steer clear of her in turn. By the second day she's to encounter Allison, and with a better understanding of what's going on, she spends the rest of her time trying to search for other benevolent souls and protect them. When she encounters people she believes are good or in need of protection, Kira teaches them a kanji that they can use to indicate they have been in contact with her.

When necessary she tries to pretend she's the nogitsune. She doesn't want to hurt - she hates the idea of having to kill - but she's prepared to defend herself if she has to. When she can, she runs unless forced to fight. She just wants to make it through however long it'll take to get safely back to the barge.

Comments

[changeitroundsome]

"Well, there we are, ain't no threat to one another at all."

He grimaces a little, this is still a touchy subject for him.

"Ain't got as much as I used to, what with bein' an inmate and all. 'Sides, all I've managed to make up is a couple healing salves."

For himself. But if they can be used as bartering tools, so be it.

[whatthefoxsay]

Kira doesn't need them, but she can see how they would be useful. "You keeping them for trade?" she asks with cautious interest.

She considers telling him about the survivor group that's been gathered, but information in this place can also be for barter. She's not prepared to trust Facilier.

"So what is it you want from me in particular?"

[150th]

"Mewmew."

Mewtwo floats up, a little, but stays in sight. Kira is nice! It is going to stay a little bit.

[voluntaryapnea]

"What makes you think I'm the one who's different?" He cocks his head to the side, watching her, gaze following the drop of her hands to her sword. "Maybe you're the one who's different."

He takes a couple steps toward her, but still maintains his distance. "Are you gonna stab me with a sword?" There's mock fear in his voice.

[changeitroundsome]

"If needs be," he gestures around them. "While we're stuck here for who knows how long, a little something like that might be in handy."

A pause, a tip of the hat.

"Of course, and to heal folk who might need it, too."

Like himself. She's wise not to trust him. He gives a small shrug.

"Not after a thing, darlin', just passin' through, and was glad to come across someone I at least recognised wasn't out to end my sorry life."

[whatthefoxsay]

Without hesitation, Kira moves into a defensive position. There is no flinching. No appearance of doubt. This isn't her friend.

"If I have to." She doesn't want to. She doesn't want to hurt (kill, is whispered internally) a person with Stiles' face. But then again, she did it before, didn't she? Sort of.

She can do it again if she has to.

"If all you want to do is go on your way, I won't stop you. But if you think that I'm some kind of chew toy, you're going to be in some severe disappointment."

[whatthefoxsay]

"Like I said. It's a waste."

Kira studies him from that careful distance. "Go on then," she says, chin tilting in a random direction. "Pass through."

[changeitroundsome]

He pauses, just a moment, weighing up how useful she could be. He knows in his current state he can't do anything to her, but that doesn't mean he can't put feelers. For the future.

"Passin' through, then," another tip of the hat as he walks by. "'Course, should you need anythin', please feel free to give me a holler. We gotta look out for out own."

[whatthefoxsay]

"And how exactly do you figure I'm included in 'our own'?" she asks curiously despite herself.

"You mean from the same Barge?" To be honest, she has no way to tell if he is or not.

[walkthedarkpath]

"Somehow, I do not think trouble is something I will find from a voice in a bush." He replied, a bit of amusement to his tone. No real malice mostly because he felt if he should fear she would have come out. "Answer me this, are you a hunter or the hunted?"

[maced_eggs]

"Was I grinning, love?"

Mason nears close to Kira now, raising his hand slowly and moving to caress her cheek.

His touch is dangerous. Everyone on his Barge knows what reapers who've gone bad like to do.

"Why're you out here by your lonesome, my darling?"

[versusnurture]

I am.

[She gives Kira a bit of an offended look. Like, what do you take me for.]

Just because other people don't take pride in their work . . .

[whatthefoxsay]

There are three quick sticks backward, and a fluid extension of arm, at the end of which rests the curved tip of her katana's blade. The length dictates the distance between the two of them.

Her expression doesn't change. "Why are you?"

[lydiascreams]

[Lydia is totally prepared for the fox hug and honestly, she's glad to see someone from her world. So banshee hug right back at her.]

I'm okay. I'm sorry we didn't have enough time to warn you about everything that could happen here. Are you okay?

[semifreakingnormal]

His hands go up immediately when she raises the katana, and stay there even when she lowers the blade. For half a second, he's afraid he misjudged, but no - it's just Kira. He wraps his arms around her when she hurtles into him, holding tight and glancing around to make sure they're still alone.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?" He's stayed off the network, for the most part: it's safer to find people in person, to make the rounds and do what he can. He's glad he found Kira: his stomach is in knots over the people he hasn't found yet.

[whatthefoxsay]

"I'm fine." Kira's quick to reassure him, giving him a quick, relieved smile, though it turns serious fairly quickly.

"Listen. I met up with Allison - only it's not our Allison, it's the other Barge's Allison, and you're not going to believe this, but she's a werewolf. Almost an Alpha, I think. We're gathering people we're certain aren't crazy sociopaths and need help. Strength in numbers." She looks up in earnestly, "We can help each other."

[maced_eggs]

Mason practically giggles at the katana. It's true that he doesn't like to be hurt, but with his powers back, he feels practically invulnerable. It's an inconvenience to have to heal over time, but some days he likes the pain.

He touches the bladed edge, giving the sword a curious look.

"Was looking for my inmate. Haven't seen him, have you?"

[whatthefoxsay]

[There's a sigh, and a roll of her eyes. That's what the nogitsune would do, right?]

Present company except. Of course.

[whatthefoxsay]

I''m...

[There's a moment of what seems like a genuine taking of stock before she concludes,]

I'm fine. Okay, at least. I know there's another version of me that's kinda scary and I'm trying not to get too close to people until I figure out which me they actually know.

You're not going around this place on your own, are you? We should stick together.

[voluntaryapnea]

"Oh my god. What's with everyone assuming I want to eat them just because I'm a werewolf?" He rolls his eyes, looking at her, annoyance clear on his face. "Do the werewolves you know actually eat people?"

He narrows his eyes at her defensive stance. "Bring it on, little fox."

[whatthefoxsay]

If this guy wants to assume she's weak because she's hiding, Kira isn't going to adjust his assessment. She'd rather be considered a non-threat and then surprise a potential opponent than bluster her way into making herself sound more badass than she may actually be.

"That depends on who I'm talking to."

[whatthefoxsay]

She resists the urge to simply flick the blade and send his finger flying. That's gross.

"I haven't been getting too close to anyone, frankly, since I can't tell friend from foe unless they make themselves very obvious." she replies, keeping the blade extended. "Which is very inconvenient when you're hungry."

There's a lift of her brow. "Are we feeling like my friend or my foe today, Mason?"

[whatthefoxsay]

"Don't you know anything? Chew toys are for chewing on, not eating. God, that would totally bring on indigestion and the runs. I don't want to think about you having the runs. Stiles. I told you, I'd rather not fight you. And you seem pretty reluctant to get aggressive with me. So why don't we just both move along?"

[lydiascreams]

[Lydia nods at the mention of other Kira. She's heard it from Jerry but she doesn't want to scare this Kira so she won't go into details.]

Sticking together is definitely the smartest plan we can come up with.

Try not to think about your other self, though. It will drive you insane.

[whatthefoxsay]

My mom'a nine hundred years old. My capacity for believing in six impossible things before breakfast has gotten a lot bigger lately.

[But that doesn't mean she wants to dwell on it.]

Is there anything you need? Anybody you want me to try and look for?