expiationlogs | and i'm not even sorry

Who: Seimei + You!
Where: All around Aldrip
What: A glitch has made the local onmyoji...fuzzier.
Warnings: None. Will update if this changes.

[ By now residents of Aldrip are no strangers to wildlife causing all kinds of a ruckus in and around town. The ones that tend to be bold and venture closer to city limits are monsters, though, big and frightening with plenty of strength to back up that audacity.

What's causing trouble these next few days is much smaller.

A fox, all slender limbs and golden eyes, has decided it's right at home on the city streets, as if it was born and raised there. While it seems appropriately cautious of humans, avoiding large busy gatherings and such, it doesn't necessarily seem afraid of them. It'll pass you on the sidewalk no problem, wait its turn in a line, and maybe if you're not paying attention to something not tied down...try to snag it.

Especially if it's food. Anyone looking to enjoy a meal outside may want to keep an extra close eye on it, lest a fuzzy little vermin make off with it.

But maybe today's not the best day to be eating outside. It's hot after all, and no one would blame you for wanting to stick inside where it's nice and cool instead of sitting around and boiling. Thing is, though, human people aren't the only ones trying to beat the heat.

Under your bed, your sink, in your pantry, or even in your bathtub, this black fox is curled up having a nice nap. Or, was having a nice nap. When you chance upon them they'll open an eye and wait, as if checking whether being discovered trespassing is worth getting up and moving or not.

...Is it? What do you think? ]

-

[ ooc: for about a week of july, seimei will be glitched into a fox! he remembers his time in expiation as if he was a fox all along, so will recognize familiar faces. he'll also be capable of human speech and minor fire manipulation (just, like, lighting or snuffing candles) so anyone with spiritual or magical senses may notice something Off about him.

if you're not feeling anything talked about above, hit me with a wildcard or a pm and we can discuss! let's have a nice foxy time. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ A spiritual, yet humble woman by the smell of her. No way to afford all the fancy tools those same types use behind city walls judging by her skin, which he does get a good smell and look at; something compels him to practically stick his entire head up her sleeve, confused when he doesn't find what he's looking for, whatever that may be.

But it would be cruel to leave her and her questions hanging when she's gone out of her way to be so polite. Once he's all done with the sniffspection he'll take a seat right in front of her bowed head, tail curling comfortably around him. ]

Neither.

[ A voice from nowhere in particular, and yet clear as a bell. ]

Strange as it may seem this place is as real as you or I, hollow as it may be.

["Dara" barely raises her head when it seems she's done being inspected, but it goes straight back to the ground when his voice becomes known. He is a kami; the immediate thought shouldn't surprise her so much considering the amount of energy she senses from the fox. And despite her own training to "slay" gods, the priestess knows where respect should be given. Especially when asking for something in return, even knowledge. At least she's used to this sort of position...]

Is there no escape? The village-- the people may be in danger. I need to return to them before another catastrophe occurs.

[Despite being tasked with her post, there is genuine concern leaking into the woman's voice. She must return to protect them-!]

[ A village in danger? A village full of people he doesn't know or care about, presumably, which means its safety isn't his concern. He has, however, made the safety and well-being of the people in this town his concern so long as he's in it. Which means he knows full well that there are many more people with their own reasons for wanting a way home...including himself.

As far as he knows any attempts at finding a way out, or back, or whatever have been fruitless, but that doesn't yet mean it's impossible. If there's a stone yet unturned, then... ]

How long have you been trapped here?

Maybe a day or so...I awoke in an unknown forest not far from this city. [Kingdom? Metropolis? She's not completely certain how to name Aldrip considering the architecture is completely foreign to her.] I could not remember how I got there nor were there footsteps to trace back. That's why-- why I thought this could be a powerful illusion.

[BECAUSE NOTHING MAKES SENSE! The smooth thin metal square with her? Doors that open automatically without any sort of trickster spirits about? SNEAKERS?! Crazy.]

[ A day or so, huh. Considering how spiritually barren this place is it's unlikely whatever magic or method used to bring people here will have stuck around long--it literally doesn't have anything to stick to.

But it's the only lead he's got at the moment, and while turning his nose up at it and heading off for a nap instead of chasing something that might not even be there is tempting, he knows the 'what if's would bother him enough to disturb that sleep eventually.

Ugh. His father's fault, most likely. ]

Take me to the forest. As close to the spot in which you awoke as you can remember.

[ The fox stands with a stretch, taking his sweet time with it before fixing "Dara" with an expectant stare. ]

Quickly.

[O-oh...is she being ordered to actually pick him up or just show him the way...? The priestess finally sits up, confusion evident on her face, but she pulls out a crude pen-like tool from her sleeve.]

Yes, right away, Kitsune-sama.

["Dara" doesn't immediately take off once she's standing. Instead, she lifts up the edge of her hakama to scribbling a spell along the side of her leg. Scars upon scars; this is a familiar ritual to her. A normal person may react to the pain of burning magic into themselves, but she doesn't flinch. "Chariot of Flame"-- the spell pulls from the energy inside her, becoming white flames that act as her propulsion system. Quick and easy. The priestess shoves the pen back into her sleeve.]

I apologize for my impudence.

[...Because she is scooping him up as carefully and swiftly as she can! (Even catching his cake if he ends up dropping it.) She's taken his command as such, cradling him securely to her bosom before sprinting in the direction of the forest at an inhuman speed.

At least the trip is quick and "Dara" doesn't keep him long in her arms once the fox gives any sign of fuss. More apologetic bowing occurs, but at least she's not practically pressing her face into the dirt again. As for the scene itself, nothing looks particularly out of the ordinary amongst the shrubs and trees.]

[ Well. He'd meant for her to just show him the way, but he sure is scooped up and held against a plush bosom before he realizes that spell is for his convenience, not hers. There's a noise from his actual fox throat when she picks him up, that confused little animal startup noise, but once he is where he is...

Hm. There could be much worse seats to have on a trip. Carry on.

Now, at the scene of the crime, he'll put that memory somewhere safe and get right down to business. Looking around, sniffing, trying to sense something, even the very slightest trace of out of the ordinary spiritual goings on.

...And there's nothing. It takes him a while of searching, just to be sure, but eventually he'll sit himself back down in the dirt, staring out at this completely normal section of forest with his tail flicking back and forth behind him in clear aggravation. ]

...If I had gotten us here or found you sooner...

[The statement is muttered to herself when Seimei's annoyance becomes noticeable. It may not have originally been meant for his ears, but her following apology is purposeful when she kneels beside the fox.]

I'm sorry, Kitsune-sama. It seems I have wasted your time. [~~No, she will not stop.]~~ ...Is there anything I can do to make up for your effort here?

[She's not fooling herself into thinking that a god will be doing this freely and out of good will.]

[ He wasted his own time, really, but foxes are raised to be far less humble and considerate about these things. She's free to grovel until he gets annoyed, and it doesn't look like that'll be a problem any time soon.

There is still this problem, though, hm. What to do, what to do... ]

Newcomers tend to arrive in groups over a short period of days. As I've yet to hear of any others I'm sure you aren't the last, nor the first.

[ He turns to face her proper, placing a paw on top of her head. ]

Can I trust you to find the others and bring them to me?

Ah...

[HNNNNGGGG, that means she has to interact with people and not necessarily in the full capacity as a priestess or healer! And her sister isn't here to be the usual spokesperson........"Dara" swallows hard but gives a firm nod in return. She asked him for help, so she must see it through.]

I-I will try my best. [Not that she knows how to begin this mission, but she'll just need to think on it for a bit. A solution should come to her...eventually.]

Is there anything else I should do or be aware of before this endeavor?

[ Hmm, a good question. He'll at least take his paw off her while he thinks so she's not urged to keep herself at that low angle. ]

Not everyone is taken from their home in a peaceful moment. You should be prepared to tend to wounds, or to defend yourself. I've seen your training in spellcraft, but have you specifically trained in either healing or battle?

and i'm not even sorry

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