expiationlogs | and i'm not even sorry

Entry tags:

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. ]

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Oh!

[Freshly returned from her work on the farm, Kotone was planning to take a shower and get all the farm dirt and sweat off, but there's a little guy in the bathroom she shares with Scott. To her credit, she just blinks with a bit of mild surprise and tilts her head, almost mirroring the fox. Who will flinch first...]

Hey buddy! Can I take your picture? [She has to send this to Scott!! And she's already crouching down and taking her tablet out, making no other move to disturb the fox at rest.] I bet you were really hot outside, huh?

[ Mm? Oh, it's the hard working young lady. She's fine, he won't be making any moves to keep his distance or flee.

In fact it almost looks like he's posing for the picture, lifting his head and crossing his front paws all regal. ]

[He's rewarded with a gasp and a pleased little coo as Kotone shifts around to get him from all different angles. He's got to look his cutest for when she sends this to Scott, after all! She of course sends all the pictures to Scott with the message Can we keep it?? 🥺]

Do you want anything, little guy? Water or snacks?

[Tucking her tablet away, she reaches out with one careful hand. Can she pet...?]

[A familiar presence is seated in one of Aldrip's parks, quietly observing her surroundings and the people. However, this "Dara" isn't her usual self both visibly and spiritually. Her divine presence and the miasma rotting away inside her-- it's all gone. Same with the slits running through her cheeks. This person is undoubtedly human through and through, yet still "Dara".

Seimei may simply be passing by with his stolen food, but the priestess' head swivels towards him, eyes wide as she senses his presence. Unfortunately for him, he's practically an oasis in this desert devoid of spiritual energy. "Dara" immediately gets to her feet, moving cautiously towards the animal while bowing her head during her approach. Seimei may not be a white fox as expected of Inari Ōkami's messengers, but there's enough energy from him that she doesn't want to underestimate his nature.]

Kitsune-sama, please...I beg of you, show me the way out of this trap. [BECAUSE ALDRIP MUST BE an extremely elaborate illusion that's messing with her senses!]

....Fuck! It's way too hot out there! Where's- [The rest of the sentence is drowned out by a door being carelessly kicked shut without any regards for the other inhabitants of the inn they're currently at. There is more low-key grumbling as Douman moves back and forth, tossing off his clothes haphazardly to escape the heat that's collected beneath them, while he's also stashing his things away and making sure that all entries to his current abode are properly locked like the man with the many enemies and few friends he is.

The twenty years old grabs a can of beer out of his fridge with the plan to kick back and cool off for a bit with a drink and snacks before he'll drag his sorry carcass into the bath to wash all the accrued sweat and grime off when he turns toward his table ...and stops.]

What the...

[His snacks are gone. All that's left are carelessly torn and strewn about wrappers and a frankly insulting amount of crumbs.

Which are leading to the bath.]

. . . . . . [Douman can be very silent when he wants to be. He also doesn't need any paper talismans or other tools to show a robber or wanna-be supernatural assassin what's what. The only trouble might be figuring out where they're hiding before they get the jump on him, but that, too, proves to be no problem:

The moment he opens the door he's met with the only amount of sensible spirit energy that he's felt in this desolate place yet. It's leading him straight to the bathtub as clear as the reek of a week-old dead body would.

Douman braces himself, yanks the shower curtain aside - and balks. A fox!? Seriously?? There is only one sick bastard who'd have the guts to send him a kitsune over, and it's tanking his mood worse than an iceberg!]

. . you've got five seconds to convince me not to exorcise you.

[His hand is already up, fingers clawed to rip the air with his sigil and crackling with barely contained magical power. Clothed or not, Ashiya Douman is not amused.]

[ These newfangled wrappings humans are using, presumably to keep their food safe and clean, are interesting indeed. It's not difficult at all to tear them off, and once the food inside's thoroughly decimated it's a curiously fun texture to just...gnaw on. Like his food is coming with a toy to keep him entertained as he rests all of it off. How novel.

Which is why Douman finds his bathtub fox idly chewing on a still crumby cookie wrapper when he pulls back the shower curtain.

For something essentially staring death right in the face, 'death' being Douman's hand ready to cast, the fox doesn't seem too bothered by the sudden intrusion. The most it seems to get out of him is a moment's consideration, tail swaying to and fro before a voice seems to come from nowhere in particular, humming in the very air around them as the fox's maw stays occupied and still. ]

You would smite the very last of such a noble creature here? How callous of you, young lord.

[ While "Dara" is cautious in her approach, Seimei isn't. Someone here addressing him properly for once immediately grabs his attention, even moreso when he recognizes the face of the woman calling out to him.

Or...he thinks he does. It's a very distinct face after all, along with other parts of her, but even then it feels like there are a few important pieces missi̴n̶g̸. But what?

So it's with no care for any possible danger at all that Seimei, chocolatey snack cake still held in his mouth, trots on over to her as if he's well within his rights to start intently sniffing around her feet, her legs, anywhere she'll allow him really. She knows he's a creature worthy of respect so she shouldn't have much of a problem waiting for him to finish, right? ]

[ Does he mind if she pets him? Hm. He doesn't know her all that well, but she isn't approaching him with the kind of energy that suggests she's gonna go whole hog on it and make the experience unpleasant. Just to be safe he'll lean in to give the offered hand a few good sniffs, see if anything seems off or if she's got anything on them he doesn't want in his fur...

And it looks like she's passed. He lowers his head as if presenting it, the universal critter signal of 'yes, you may.' ]

[So it's really a spirit. Just his damn luck.]

Absolutely. Especially if the rest of your kin died out after failing to recognize what's wise in the same way you do. [That is, pissing somebody off who's bigger and stronger - the energy between his fingers crackles are arches as he considers what to do with it. Aim it at the paws like the fingers of a misbehaving kid, the tail for maximum indignity, or to burn the cheeky thing a bald plate for its efforts?]

You have one more try.

[She coos again in delight, reaching out with a gentle hand like she might for Koro-chan. Look, if Minato gets to have Koromaru, maybe she should get a fox!! (no, that's Yu)]

You're so handsome! [she compliments as she carefully scratches under his chin and smooths her other hand along his back.] I bet you're really smart, too! Coming inside to hide from the heat. I'll ask Scott if you can stay, okay? I'm sure I can convince him if you promise to be good!

Shameful. [ The audacity of this thing??? ]

I am a pillar of this community, I'll have you know. If I were to disappear, your problems won't.

[ Ooooh yes, this was a good decision, he's loving the scritches and the strokes. And compliments? Kotone will be treated to some quiet, if high pitched, noises of pleasure from the little critter as he leans into the touches, almost not registering that she's still talking.

Ah, right, she and the boy must live together. He can only hope Scott's as agreeable to beautiful animals as she is, but just in case he isn't, there's a more clear way Seimei can express his intentions. ]

The shelter would be appreciated, though I do not intend to outstay my welcome.

[ The fox's mouth doesn't move, and the voice doesn't seem to be coming from anywhere in particular. It's just...there, hanging in the air like a gentle breeze finding you at high noon. ]

[The audacity indeed.

Seimei has the chance to see a comical vein pop on Douman's head just seconds before he tries to singe the fox's pelt.]

WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY PROBLEMS, YOU SNACK-PILFERING PILLAR OF FLEAS?! BEGONE!!

[ Thankfully he's fast enough to abandon his chew toy in the tub and hop out and up onto the sink instead, ears pinned back onto his head as he glares Douman down. ]

You assault and insult me? No one has taught this young lord respect, it would seem!

[The magical energy tears chinks out of Douman's nice tub, pissing him off even further as he jerks around and aims again.]

As if you're one to talk! I've got plenty of respect - for those who deserve it!

[Time to dodge again?]

Well if that's how you insist on behaving, I have no choice but to respond in kind!

[ Dodge he does, this time making a mad dash to get out of the bathroom from between Douman's legs if he can manage it. ]

Whoa!

[WARNING: fox between his legs! There's some awkward flailing and stumbling as Douman tries to block the critter's path and not get hit by it both at the same time, but then Seimei's already past and he's hot on his heels again, cursing up a storm.]

That's not responding, that's running! Come back and get exorcised like a man!

[ Inn rooms are small, but they still provide some counter space in a kitchenette for people to do their own cooking. Previously the only thing that had been out of place on it was the lack of snacks.

Now, what's out of place is everything. The fox is up on the counters and running through them, any dishes left out, cups, cans, clearly not aiming to escape but to displace absolutely everything he can come into contact with. ]

[Some poor soul isn't going to be happy having to clean all of this up, but it won't be Douman once he glitches back. Right now he is too busy flinching at the loud ruckus the fox is causing and unable to get too close because he is barefoot.]

You- Quit it!

[Douman doesn't waste any time with chanting as he snaps his fingers and magically jerks the lid of a pot upward in the hopes that the fox will run against it.]

[He can take all the time in the world because "Dara" immediately drops to her knees and bows her head low towads the ground. She doesn't budge an inch from the position while Seimei investigates. The same earthy smell is there for someone who spends so much time in the forest, but there's a heavy scent of incense included. Dara had hugely benefitted from the regenerative abilities of godhood, but this woman is far from perfect skin. Immediately, the scars and callouses covering her arms and legs are obvious; results from working the earth, hard labor along with mastery of the sword, and burns from magic sigils.]

Oh Kitsune-sama, is this an illusion? Or have I been spirited away to a realm beyond? I don't understand the emptiness inside people here...

[Someone's noticed that all the NPCs don't have spiritual energy. It's really damn creepy considering how realistic they act.]

[ 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.

[ THUD--that actually gets a natural, high pitched noise of surprise right out of the fox's mouth instead of whatever trick he's been using to speak. Successfully stopped.

For about one second exactly. The cookware's good enough for the fox to slide right off once he has his bearings again, and it does get him off the counter, but now he's picking a new destination at random to dart towards with his claws and teeth out.

Oh, how nice! Looks like he chose the direction the bed is in. ]

[The noise of the fox hitting the lid gets a satisfied smirk on his lips. Serves the little bastard right, thinking it can just waltz in here and act all high and mighty at him as if he's never seen foxes with a little more spirit power before...! Maybe he should just use the chance and cook it- Wait, what now??]

First my food and now my bed!? Forget it! You're not getting your fleas there!

[The lid clatters to the ground as he releases the concentration on his spell and cancels it only to start chanting. This time it's his trademark grit that forms in the air in front of the fox in an attempt to block his way. But Douman miscalculated: his kuji-kiri is strong enough to hold even an oni, but the spaces in his make-shift net are too big for a determined fox.]

[ Oh good, a tight space to crawl through! Foxes love tight spaces to crawl through, so Douman may have unintentionally made this a new enrichment game.

Which could be a neat trick to have in his pocket under any other circumstance, but in this one it gets him the very distinct sound of fox laughter (AHAHAHAEHEHEHAHAHEHEHE) as Seimei slides right on through a grid square and launches himself into getting a mouth full of bedding to start rearranging. With no delicacy or mindfulness of how sharp his teeth are, so he may come away from the fabric with a few tears. Oh no, how awful, how totally not intentional in the least. ]

["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.

[QUIT IT, HE DID NOT ASK WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY!!]

Th- Get out of there unless you're going to turn into a sexy babe!

[Is that annoying fox going to turn into a sexy beauty who's sensuously having fun messing in and with his bed? Douman waits a couple of seconds and then feels all the more foolish for it because he's never that lucky. All that beast's giving him is even more torn bedding!]

Don't you have a nest of your own under some tree? Go there!

[ Bro he begs your finest pardon???

That's so out of pocket it does manage to get the fox to stop, albeit already on top of the bed with covers firmly gripped in his teeth. He tilts his head as if what Douman had just said will make more sense at a different angle, but eventually, his front half lowers and tail begins to wag, the universal canine posture for 'play? play?' ]

Hoh...? So you'd allow me free reign if I was a more pleasing shape?

I didn't say free reign.

[Is it a really bad idea to engage with a spirit in that kind of talk. It absolutely is. But, on the other hand: foxes are known to be talented shapeshifters and the tales of their seducer prowress are. Well. Legendary. Douman also knows what he's get into and has his Onmyoji skills, so. Might be worth it?]

I'll tolerate you more.

You were so quick to name your terms, I wonder about that...

[ The cover drops from Seimei's teeth, leisurely making his way to sit at the edge of the bed with his front paws crossed and looking Douman up and down with an eye much too critical for any animal. ]

What would it take to please such a handsome, fiery young lord, I wonder? A proper woman of the capital, draped in silks and hair black as night? Soft, delicate hands to guide you, to take care of your every last wish?

Or perhaps someone a little more...scandalous? A temper to match your own, to heat the both of you enough to where you simply must shed your layers and follow where instinct takes you...

[Being scrutinized and called out like that is sending a cold shiver down his spine, so Douman reacts like he always does when he's shaken. He bristles and scowls, going on the offense so that nobody will even get to think about testing his defenses instead.]

Shut your uncouth mouth! What- I-- [damn, please, he cannot blush now!] Just take your go-to form! Like I'd ever think about bedding one of you filthy monstrosities!!

[~~oh how the monkey's paw curls~~]

Filthy monstrosity indeed.

[ Both the tone of voice and look on the fox's face is much, much less amused than just a moment ago. ]

Such a shame you need share the world with these creatures, hm? Who sleep in the dirt and bathe in the rivers, who give and take from what is around them as opposed to the safety and class of your squeaky clean palaces. Wouldn't want to lower yourself by touching one without good reason.

[ That's, uh. That sure sounds like some pent up frustration making its way out, there. Tail now flicking irritably, Douman has less than a second to notice where the fox's line of sight switches up to before he's off the bed, once again in a beeline to somewhere in particular. ]

Wouldn't want to-- [ Oh, oh no, those are some of Douman's previously tossed clothes in his teeth. He's not stopping to simply shred them, however, this time on his way out the door with all that fabric in tow, ] --become just as filthy!

[Oh. Looks like he has hit a nerve with that thing for the first time just now. Jealous of his social standing, is it? Seems somebody is good at giving and terrible at taking punches here, and it's not Douman.]

Big talk for saying that you most likely emptied what was once in your belly into my flower bed

HEY!!!

[DAMMIT NOT AGAIN! He curses as he runs after the fox only to have to scramble for the keys and unlock the damn thing again. What use is a door if it can't even withstand a little fox fire? Now the entry to his abode has a hole in it and that damn fox-

(He returns quickly to slip his shoes and yukata on and then gives chase again.)

-is still running away!]

Give back my pants! And you ARE filthy, I bet you didn't even clean your paws off before you went into my home!

[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?

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and i'm not even sorry

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