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

[whatthefoxsay]

Kira turns, looking up at Mason and trying to be casual about shading her eyes with her hand as she looks up at him. She won't know which side his on without further engagement. But at least she knows who he is.

"Mason." she says, with careful neutrality. "What do you want?"

[maced_eggs]

Pausing to take a drink, Mason leans his head against the trunk of the tree, one leg swinging lazily back and forth.

"Nothing in particular. Jus' curious. What've you got for us today?"

[whatthefoxsay]

Kira still can't tell whose side Mason's on, she decides to play it neutral. Or she tries, anyway.

Folding her arms in front of her chest, she leans against a tree trunk and regards him with what she hopes appears to be idle interest.

"I wasn't aware that it was my job to keep you entertained."

[maced_eggs]

Mason squints down at Kira, before giving an abrupt smile and leaping down from his tree.

He inches closer, hands stuck in his pockets.

"Well, if you don't have a way to entertain me, I can think of something.."

[whatthefoxsay]

There is just no way she's going to be able to tell. She eyes him askance, and despite her urge to step back a few feet and maintain distance, she doesn't, because she's got the feeling the nogitsune wouldn't. The nogitsune doesn't need to.

"No, thanks." she drawls, with a purse of her lips. "If it's all the same to you, we can just both move along and get on with things. I don't have time for clowning around for your grins and giggles, Mason."

That sounded tough enough, didn't it?

[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?"

[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?"

[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]

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?"

[maced_eggs]

If she did, Mason knew it would just grow back. He'd already lost and regained a number of fingers while on the Barge; it didn't seem to impede him much.

"Oh, friend for now!" He confirmed with a grin, stuffing his hands in his pockets now. "But you know me."

[whatthefoxsay]

"The word that comes to mind is mercurial." she says. "If all you're going to do is pass on through, than you should keep moving along."

[maced_eggs]

Mason attempts to snake an arm around Kira's shoulders. Never one for personal space, him.

"I thought it'd be a fun thing if you came along with me, darling."

[whatthefoxsay]

There are another few steps back, and once more the sword is raised. Kira is afraid, but she does her best to sound like she's annoyed.

"I swear, Mason. What part of 'don't touch me' do you not get? I'm going to shove this into your chest and twist if you don't back off."

[maced_eggs]

"Now let's not be like that, my darling." Mason skipped the next few steps to close the distance.

"What's wrong with me wanting a partner to come along as we stroll through the forest together?"