[open: catch-all]

[sinningtree]

Who: Kurama [Open]
Where: Various Locations
What: Catch-all, I'll be putting up top-levels as I go. Feel free to tag in with your own thing or ask for a custom starter.
Warnings: None, will update if that changes.

Please feel free to reach out if you would like to do something specific that doesn't fit here! I am available in the game discord and on plurk at thesinnerwithin, if you want to add or message me there for plotting.

Comments

[closed: aloy and beta at the farm]

[sinningtree]

Kurama has been spending most of his time at the farm lately. There's clean up to do around the city, but his priority is food resources. He's been transferring a lot of storage to the basement of the farmhouse, which is what he was doing up until Beta's message about visiting. Instead, he's moved outside to catch sight of them when they do arrive.

As far as he knows, he hasn't met either of the girls, but he figures he'll know them when he sees them. Smiling brightly in greeting once they do arrive.

"Here to see the horses?"

[nobetawedielike]

Beta's in unusually high spirits, excited at having found something she thinks Aloy will love. Bright red hair makes them hard to miss, though she's sure Aloy's is more eye-catching. This being her idea means Beta is more or less leading the way right up until she spots Kurama. Her smile doesn't fade, but it does become more nervous, and she slows until she's following just slightly behind Aloy instead.

"Yes!" Social skills, Beta. You have them off the network too, you can do this. "Ah, thank you for having us. I'm - Beta." She gives an awkward little wave.

[despitethenora]

If there’s any doubt about them, the fact they might as well look like twins who have walked very different paths in life can help. Aloy is peering about like this is the first time seeing an actual farm, and it’s not that far from the truth, given the state of the world Aloy comes from.

She also doesn’t second-guess the socially correct response to Kurama’s greeting. Even if Aloy’s not that practiced at it, herself. She lifts her chin in silent acknowledgment of his smile, and offers, “Aloy. You get a lot of people looking for them?”

[sinningtree]

The excitement seems infectious, both in Beta's smile and Aloy's obvious interested curiosity. The fox only tilts his head at the evident nerves, looking between them so that his attention is not overtly focused too long on either for long.

“Of course. You truly can come any time you'd like. Many do, the animals certainly enjoy the attention.” The thanks really aren't necessary, as far as he sees it.

Kurama glances towards the stables at Aloy's question, still smiling as he gestures for them to head that way. “Not often, I was simply informed you may be coming in advance. Unfortunately, I am not experienced with riding, and my friend who would have gladly taught you is no longer here. Perhaps someone else might be able, if you're interested in asking around.”

[nobetawedielike]

Should she warn Aloy away from just trying to hop on one? Surely her sister has a little more sense than that. But also, it's Aloy... Giving a quick glance between Kurama, Aloy, and the upcoming stable...

"I've read in my studies that horses can be really shy or scare easily. Someone who knows how to soothe them would be a good idea." Though she says it straight to Aloy, when she goes to address Kurama, her line of sight drops to just below his eye level. "We wouldn't want to upset them, right?"

[despitethenora]

"Shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to stay on their backs."

She's half-musing about this. After all the machines Aloy has ridden, surely a horse shouldn't be that much of a challenge. For one thing, it shouldn't be able to kick her as hard as a machine could.

Beta's right, though, and she's nodding for the note.

"Wouldn't hurt to be introduced, anyway."

To the horses, or to Kurama? Yes.

[sinningtree]

“It may be prudent to limit introductions to the stalls, for now.”

Beta and Kurama are in agreement immediately about one thing: approaching with caution and consideration. Aloy doesn't mention anything about the machines she's experienced out loud, but his response likely wouldn't have been much different, even if it is an interesting tidbit of information he'd want to learn about at some point. When Aloy suggests it wouldn't hurt to be introduced, Kurama only smiles again as they approach the stables,

“Staying on one may not be a challenge, many here are trained to be ridden, after all. Building a relationship with any creature requires a bit of mutual respect and understanding, however. There are a number of snacks they enjoy, that should warm some of them up to you rather quickly. Come visit them often enough and you'll have a friend in no time.”

[nobetawedielike]

"Aloy'd jump right on one if you let her. Maybe you should watch the door."

She's not quite sure how being funny or teasing someone together works, but she leans closer toward Kurama with her hand cupped over her mouth, though her words are purposely loud enough for Aloy to hear. This is good social interaction, A+ for her.

[despitethenora]

Aloy watches Beta tell him this with an expression that can only say what is this, conspiring against me? It’s not terribly serious, given she proceeds to lift her shoulders in a shrug.

“Snacks first, riding later. Sounds simple enough.”

[sinningtree]

His eyebrows lift at Beta's teasing, not knowing either of the girls well enough to predict how it will go over, green eyes darting to Aloy and watching for her reaction with barely concealed amusement.

“I'm certain that we can keep things under control.” Yes, he is putting that right back on Beta, tone just as light and clearly playful, following Aloy's response. Once they reach the stables, Kurama motions them forward through the open doors, gesturing to a hanging container nearby.

“I would give carrots to start, I'm certainly no expert but I do know fruit should not be their main snack, you'll want something you won't need to limit too much in the beginning."

Here, he grins, moving to the first stall and greeting the horse that sticks its head out curiously with a pat on the neck, repeating Aloy's words in confirmation. “Snacks first, riding later. Indeed, quite simple. Your first goal should be forging a bond with the horse. Some of the animals here belong to other Chosen, I would not suggest attempting to ride any of them without express permission.”