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| Furry Friends; Tzel And Kit private | |
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| Topic Started: Jan 18 2009, 11:13 PM (288 Views) | |
| Tzel | Jan 18 2009, 11:13 PM Post #1 |
The Snuggle Fiend
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If it wasn't one thing it was another. Here in the hidden city, things were bustling. The spectacle of sunset on the red ochre city had drawn crowds, more so than at sunrise... but now the crowds were almost gone, the city seeming to enjoy its sleep at night. These emptying streets were a problem for him because despite how hard he tried today, he had earned almost no money. The other performers were boxing him out and he had gained what little had earned by the middle of the day to a child who had seemed worse off than he. Tzel had fed off all the creativity his soul needed to keep him here... but his stomach was unhappy with him. he could feel it eating at his own insides, having not eaten since two days before. His vest hung open a bit looser than normal as he wore it with his black pants. comfortable and acceptable preforming garb, as far as his wardrobe was concerned. He leaned, a bit disparaged, against a wall attempting to get the attention and hopefully some coin. Betwixt his hands he was juggling a red, yellow, and blue orb. After a while he had grown more tired and was now slouching a bit against the wall disheartened and simply tossing, lightly, a single orb of light up in the air and watching it burst into a small glittering firework. He would pause for a moment and then send up another different tiny spectacle. Watching the soft glow erupt into a new colored marvel of soft light. Tzel sighed heavily, his ears drooped and his usuallly swishing mysterious tails were hanging limp and tired. He was trying to ignore the pain in his stomach... for now the pretty lights could keep him distracted... but his usual bright spirits could not muster up the energy to show themselves. Edited by Tzel, Jan 18 2009, 11:22 PM.
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 18 2009, 11:53 PM Post #2 |
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Night was a fine hour for a beast such as herself, for at what other time did the shadows provide so fine a creature with the cover of darkness? For the sake of the hunt, she thrived on the night, and took joy in its coming. Even when not on the prowl, the hour of starlight was her hour- the time of a predator. This was not a night for hunting, however. It was a quiet night, set beneath the light of lanterns on dimming streets. For Kristian, this was a peaceful time, ideal for nothing greater than a moonlight stroll. Her nose, sensitive even in human shape, followed each passing scent from one place to another, taking only delight in her short-lived ventures. She'd tracked down a cat, some rats, a missing glove, two scraps of meat (which she had no interest in eating), and a food stand selling a few tasty treats that took all of her power to avoid- but in the end, she gave in to weakness and bought herself a danish. Somethings could simply not be helped. Continuing on with her treat in hand and alternatively in her mouth, she chased a few more scents before getting stuck on a particularly troubling one. It smelled of fox, and yet of people, distinctly male with a brush of fur. She dared not get her hopes up, but her nose could not be lying: a kitsune lived in Ildri. Sure enough, her sense of smell knew better. Around a corner sparked a flash, and soon another. As Kit's own golden eyes peeked at the lights' source, she was greeted with a sad yet delightful sight. It was a kitsune; a male, using his natural gifts to put a lovely sparkle in the darkening air. He hadn't the look of a happy fox, but that he was a fox was plenty enough for the red-furred Kit. It was all she could do to not let her tail out and wag it: she simply had to greet him. Hands clasped behind her back, the female skipped out from around the corner and strode up to the male. A smile could not be kept from her face as she moved in closer. She paused before him, tilting her head so her reddish strands of hair shifted to one side. In the faint chill air, Kit had had some sense to don herself with something remotely warm: a tan tunic a few sizes too large for her smallish frame, and dark brown pants that were also too large for her, the waist held up loosely with a black sash. Her own feet were encased in oversized boots, going along with the nature of the rest of her outfit in being just a little too big. "'ey there, lil' puppy, what'cha doin' all alone in the cold? You've a sad sad face to be creating such pretty lights. Something the matter?" |
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| Tzel | Jan 19 2009, 12:41 AM Post #3 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel had stopped focusing on his sense as in many homes people were making food and smelling their dinners was only making him hungrier. So it was that lost in his daze he had not expected someone to actually approach him by this point. An orb had just formed in his hand when the girl appeared in front of him and spoke. Startled, the kitsune burst the orb while it was still in his hand as he started in surprise and his ears perked straight up. He stammered for a moment trying to gather himself. Finally closing his eyes and taking a deep breath his brain processed it all and he forced a smile. "Well I'm a wanderer and there aren't a lot like me around here..." he said at first... before sniffing and catching an all to familiar scent. He blushed a little and giggled slightly his ears perking up. "Then again, you would know i suppose." his words could be taken many ways and still be true and Tzel took no steps to clarify. If she was like him, and hiding it, there was usually a reason for it. "Don't you worry about me though, I'm quite all right." Tzel might have been hungry but he could never bring himself to ask for help... He couldn't quite get over the training to not be an imposition on others and so could not ask for such things as money or food. "Yes, quite alright." as he said this he stood up straight and stepped forward and just as quickly his vision went dark and spotted and he swayed and fell over hitting the ground with a thud there was silence for a moment and then his stomach growled at such a decibel that he was sure the whole street could hear it. His face turned bright red and his ears flattened against his head as he tried futilely to hid his embarrassed face behind one of his tails. He sat up slowly and then rubbed his head still blushing he chuckled nervously... Inside he was dieing of embarrassment that he a Kitsune was unable to have gathered his own food by now in the forest like any decent Kitsune...at least that was how he had been raised to think... Nevertheless he kept the embarrassed grin on his face and spoke "I might be a little hungry..." he chuckled a bit more and tried to look away still blushing unable to make eye contact. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 19 2009, 09:41 AM Post #4 |
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Kit watched him, all the while bearing a pleasant smile. He was a cute little pup, and her grin grew broader as he took note of what she was. With a giggle, her own ears and tail came out of hiding, black emerging from the red of her hair and a fluffy red and white tail emerging through a discreet slot cut into her clothing for just a thing. Between the red and white was a band of black color that made her tail so ever unique. The fluffy appendage wagged cheerfully behind her, each swish full of vulpine pride. "Indeed I would." Her bold grin lessened, tilting towards an inquiring frown as she tilted her head sideways at his insistance. Something was clearly the matter with him, but he didn't seem inclined to share. That just meant she'd have to nag him for it, however, and at that thought her lips turned upward in a slight smirk. If he was going to play hard to get... As luck would have it, Kit had to put no effort in finding out what was wrong. No sooner had the male started away he was flat on the ground with a stomach full of protest. It was pretty obvious by now what the problem was, even without his confirmation, for a stomach growl was quite the familiar sound. Kit knew just what to do, even if she had to drag this kit along by his tails. "Mmhmm... looks like I'll be having a guest for dinner tonight." She stepped in closer, dropping down on one knee infront of him, and held out her hand. Kit's smile was almost always a friendly one, and now was still no different. With the warmest smile capable of a human (and indeed then, a fox) the female kitsune invited him her hand to take in order to return him to his feet. "No starving pups on my watch, fellow fox. You'll be comin' with me for a bit of shopping tonight. We'll get you a quick bite first- I know the best place- and then off to get ingredients for supper. How's that sound to you?" Her lips curled up into a humored smirk as her golden eyes took on a possessive stare. She wasn't giving him any choice in the matter. "Better sound good, because you're going anyway." |
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| Tzel | Jan 19 2009, 11:37 AM Post #5 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel's face continued to blush and he had to fight the urge to shrink back behind his tails again when she lowered herself to one knee in front of him. She wasnt just the nicest person he'd met today, she was pretty too. Tzel tried to fight the blushing back but his flattened ears betrayed his emotional state. They had percked slightly at the mention of food. "I really couldn't..." as soon as he said this his stomach again protested vigorously. "But it seems i have little choice in the matter." he chuckled nervously before taking her hand. It felt soft and warm in his. He stood up and held for a moment longer to steady himself as the spots returned to his vision. "You have my deepest thanks." he said delivering a bow that was more a nod of the head. "I'll have to repay you someday..." there was an awkward silence as he realized he did not know the other kitsune's name. "Forgive me...My name is Tzel..." he trailed off waiting for her to return the introduction his ails starting to stir again but not truly swishing at their full grandeur as they did when he was in brighter spirits. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 19 2009, 12:01 PM Post #6 |
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"Mmm..." Kit let out a little hum, grinning at her vulpine kin. She rose to her own feet as he did his, keeping his hand within her own. If he had hesitated to agree, she'd have been certain to never let go and even go as far as to drag him along after her. Kit was not a fox to be denied; determined, by whatever means. But, with fortune, he had submitted, and so her grip grew loose. If he wanted his hand returned, she'd readily allow it. She tilted her head as he continued, the smile never leaving her face. His introduction provoked her own, and soon the redhead was dipping herself in her own dramatic bow. "Kristian Alex Vulpae, my dear sir, but be free to just call me Kit. It has been the utmost pleasure making your acquaintance, dear Tzel. As you had observed, I dun't see much'a my kind too often. This land is peculiarly devoid, it should seem." Again she rose, standing straight and as tall as her average height would have her. Behind her, her single tail happily swished in swaying sweeps. Too often was it denied its freedom; a crime to one with such a pride as Kit. But in some cases, it proved necessary, not that she was truly one for such concerns. Carefree was ultimately her nature. "Now, off shall we? First to get you a bite and then some nibbles for our supper... noodles, I should think." With a wave of her tail, Kit spun back the way she had come, leading her new companion along the street to the food stand where she'd gotten her danish. That would surely be a fine enough treat to tide him over until their dinner was done. But she had to decide on what exactly dinner would be, first. Noodles was about all she had in mind, but that wasn't good enough for her refined tastes. "Hmms... but shall it be beef or chicken? What you think? I'm partial to either so I'm good no matter what way." |
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| Tzel | Jan 19 2009, 03:32 PM Post #7 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel did not let go of her hand. It was comfortable and warm. If she wanted to let go then he would let her but until then he saw nothing wrong with holding the hand of his new friend. Though he began to rethink this as she introduced herself in a rather regal manner. Tzel was glad he had not used his full name because the back of his mind was now worried that this one was one of his fathers own noble friends, sent out to return him to the home he had fled from so long ago. But her dialect returned to normal at the end...still... a kitsune that couldn't act was no kitsune at all. Hiding his inner thoughts he simply replied to her greeting with the words "the pleasure is all mine." for now he would give her the benefit of the doubt but proceed with caution. In his free hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper absently, and discreetly he began folding it with his one hand. His ears twitched upwards at the mention of the dinner plan. "Mmmmmm noodles, i haven't had noodles in quite a while." he could feel his mouth salivate at the thought of a hot home made dinner. His stomach growled faintly in anticipation and he felt his blush returning. WHen she confronted him with the choice of chicken or beef his tails began to sway a bit in eagerness and he licked his lips a little before responding. "Chicken please, that is my favorite." he smiled innocently with this statement. As he said so he also finished the last touches on his small project in his free hand. He had molded a small flower out of the paper, realistic as he could possibly muster. It looked very much like a tiny rose and he held it up to her betwixt his index and thumb fingers. "Here, a pretty flower for my pretty new friend. A token of my thanks" he grinned pleased with himself as he watched her and waited for her to take the small token of his appreciation. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 19 2009, 04:39 PM Post #8 |
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Kit's own ears perked, her vocals emitting a light laugh at his choice of meats. "Excellent! I can call a craving for chicken. But so much to do... mm. Shall require some seasoning, for certain. Peppers, yes. Just a bit, not too much. And onions perhaps... hmm... maybe. Oh, and mushrooms." Set off into an excited ramble, Kit spoke more to herself than she did Tzel. She was already planning out the recipe in her mind; she had been trained to know her flavors well, so no dish was a mere experimentation. The years she'd spent as a chef's apprentice had given her a good bit of knowledge when it came to food. Noodles, however, were her specialty. "Hrm?" Her head tilted as an item was offered from her newfound companion. Upon examination, it appeared to be a flower, and a quite lovely one. Had it not a paper quality to it- namely so, a papery scent- she'd have questioned its appearance more. Her hand, still the free one since he had not been inclined to releasing hers, nor was she of his, reached to accept the gift, which brought a greater smile to her face. "It's so lovely..." Pausing just a moment, Kit flashed him a smile, following by a brief and cunning smirk, before leaning in to place a quick kiss on his cheek. Tail swishing, she pulled back away, her face set in a broad grin. "Thank you, and you're welcome. I'm much obliged to be lending you a hand, dear Tzel. What sort of fox would I be to shun my kin?" Humming, Kit led Tzel off again, following her nose to the display of baked sweets she'd come upon earlier. Finding the stand once more, her tail wagged more energetically before being forced back out of view as they neared it. Her ears, too, shrunk back into human ears. Thus a human made her return, her new friend in tow. "Pick anythin' you want here, Tzel. But jus' a lil' bit, we'll be havin' supper soon after all and you dun' wanna spoil your appetite before you get a bite of my cooking, do ya? Noodles, right? Chicken and noodles." |
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| Tzel | Jan 20 2009, 03:01 PM Post #9 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel was pleased to see Kit’s smile grow as she accepted his gift. What came next came with no warning save for an all too familiar smirk that had donned his own face many a time. Before he conld contemplate the intent behind this signal it was made clear to him. The distance between her stunning face and is was closed rapidly and he felt her soft lips pres quickly against his cheek. It felt like an electric spark went through him. His ears both pointed straight up and his tails all pointed out in surprise for that split second. Then his body relaxed just as quickly, save for his pounding heart. His face turned a brilliant maroon and his brain felt like it was in a cloud. Tzel had never been kissed by anyone he wasn’t related to before. It was a rather shocking, though enjoyable, experience. He couldn’t help the giant grin from spreading across his face. As his head cleared he realized he was moving, walking being led by the hand to some unknown destination. He slowly registered what was going on again as they slowed a little. He noticed her tail wag before being hidden as well as her ears hanging back to human in appearance. Curious he tilted his had a little to the side and one of his ears pointed upwards as the other pointed sideways. He was certain now, or he chose to be, that she was not sent after him by his father. No one working for his father would have been this friendly, and if they were… this strange action was something that they would not have performed. She spoke and his attention snapped to the stand in front of him. He looked at it confused for a moment. “Huh?...Oh right, yes I cant wait…” he replied in a softer and seemingly distracted tone. He had forgotten, for a moment, that he was hungry but his stomach did not hesitate to give him a reminder. Tzel looked nervously at the items on the stand. Still a bit uncomfortable with accepting the generosity of his new companion. Finally he settled on something that looked like it would be good and also not too expensive. A decent sized cookie that he took cautiously as if almost worried he would be told not to take it. When it was finally in his hand he turned to Kit again and spoke in a voice that had gone to a more soft than earlier “Thank You.” Tzel then waited patiently for Kit to pay, his tails swishing patiently with the cookie in his free hand. He still did not want to release her hand finding it rather comforting. Tzel waited until they were headed away from the stand before happily taking a bite of his snack. Chewing slowly and then swallowing it felt good to finaly have something in his stomach. He paused before his next bite and looked towards Kit. “Kit… how come you changed before going to the stand?” he asked before taking another bite from his cookie that left only a third of the treat left. He chewed quietly and waited for her reply his tails swishing contentedly and his ears raised a little patiently waiting. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 20 2009, 03:57 PM Post #10 |
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Kit waited for him to pick from the assortment, and, once he had, she placed a few coins before the merchant, seeming to have pulled them from nowhere. With a simple little smile, she turned and led her companion away. "Not a problem at all." His question as they distanced theirselves from the stand caused her grin to weaken, but ultimately failed to wash it completely away. She was too carefree a fox for her happy look to completely diminish, even with grim thoughts passing through her head. Her reply did not come quickly, waiting until they were a distance away from the stand before speaking again, her voice soft and quiet. "Where I come from... fox are widely disliked." Her golden eyes turned to meet his, the expression on her face shifted from happy-go-lucky to a less energetic calm. With his hand still in her grasp, her hold tightened, as though in fear that he might be torn away. Still, all the while, a smile did not part from her lips. "Kitsunes. We're reknowned for the trouble we cause... people panic when they see us... chase us away... capture us... a fox sworn t'servitude is better than a fox left to its own devices, from my understanding of it. But what sorta life is that?" She closed her eyes then, letting out a soothing breath. When her eyes reopened, her appearance returned to mostly normal, the smile growing again on her face. Around his hand, her grip reloosened, the fear seeping back out of her. "That... that was a force o' habit, I s'pose. Here is not there, nor there here. But still, I'm wary. As a free spirit, the worst thing that could happen t'me is to have my freedom taken away. I just won't have it." Noting the tense mood her change had caused, Kit lightened the air with an unprovoked giggle, her grin returning to her lips in full. Golden eyes renewed with light, she moved in close to Tzel, hugging his arm against her side without ever releasing his hand. "But why worry 'bout that? We've shoppin' to do haven't we? First on the list: noodles! And then chicken and some spice and some mushrooms... I hope I can find everything this late at night! It'll be a trick without the market open, but I sure do know a few shops 'round here that don't close about now. So lessee what we find to make our meal somethin' splendid." Allowing distance between them again, Kit led Tzel off again with renewed energy, half following memory and half following her nose to the nearest shop on their ingredient-searching agenda. As they grew closer, it was all she could do to keep from sneezing. A spice shop, still open though with little business going through its doors. Kit had a suspicion the shopkeep was likely dozing, and her suspicions were confirmed as soon as they passed through the door. Behind the counter rose a loud and definite snore. "Looks like the old coot's straight out again... hmph. What pay he expect with a ruckus like that? 'ey there, old man! Up, would ya?" The vixen's voice lifted above the rumble as she let go of Tzel's hand in order to stride heavily up to the counter, leaning onto it with a slam of her fists. Her loud entrance quickly awoke the shopkeeper, whom dropped out of his chair with a thud. "Blimey! Who's up causing a commotion at this hour? Why I'll- oh!" He gazed up at the redhead with blurred vision, rubbing at his tired eyes a moment before refocussing on the boldly grinning girl. "Damnit all, it's just you, Kit. What the hell I tell ya about doing that?" "Unless I've a good reason?" She hummed innocently, waving a few coins in the air. Again they seemed to have come from thin air, undistributed from any pocket. "My friend and I are looking to make ourselves a meal tonight. So what's your best there, Barmey?" The shopkeeper sighed and got to his feet with a tired groan. He was on the thin side, with a scruffy look, aided by his stubble of a beard and mess of greying hair. Kit had come to be a semi-regular in his shop, if not simply a familiar face due to her knack for eccentrics upon every visit. "I'll be with you in just a sec, Kit, I'm gonna start the fire back up... I swear your whirlwindin' in here put it out again." With a grumble, he moved over to the fireplace, working to relight the fire. Meanwhile, the vixen wandered, trying to choose among the collection of spices that covered all sides of the room. While she quite liked the shop, she wasn't too fond of all the spices being in the same place at once. A natural browser-by-scent, it was quite troublesome to have all those strong smells gathered in one place. "If there's anything in particular you want, Tzel, feel free to get it. Barmey knows I'm good on my money." |
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| Tzel | Jan 20 2009, 05:07 PM Post #11 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel’s ears drooped as he sensed her change in mood. He immediately felt bad for being the cause. He took the last bite of his cookie and ate it as she finally spoke her answer. He listened intently and returned the slight increase in pressure from her hand holding his. As he listened he had heard of places such as this, from his father. His father had told him that it was the fault of unruly kitsune for this and that was why the rogues were forced to live alone. Tzel had never fully believed this. He continued to listen intently and in silence as she spoke. She is running for her freedom…just like me. She drew closer to him as she finished speaking and he mustered up a comforting grin in return. Kit shifted the conversation back to lighter spirits and the distance between them was restored as she led the way. “I’ll never understand why all the people close so early. I used to think it was so they could play at night like me, but I found out they just go to bed. I think it is silly that they go to sleep so soon.” As he asked this they turned towards a store. He started to tail behind her a bit while still holding her hand, he couldn’t shake the thoughts from earlier about people not liking ones like him. It made him a little sad to think about, fortunately he didn’t have much time to. There was a ruckus coming from inside that made him giggle. The snoring of the shopkeeper was louder than most he had encountered. Tzel pouted for a split second when Kit let go of his hand but returned to normal shortly after. Inwardly he hoped he was far enough behind that she hadn’t noticed the moment of embarrassing childishness. Instead he giggled when the man fell from his seat as he woke with a start and Tzel fought to stifle his snickering as he grumbled at Kit whom he had apparently met before. He took one of his tails in hand and stroked it absently as he looked around the others swishing in curiosity. Tzel watched the man fumble with the fireplace, a confident smirk on his face as he observed the goings on. Kit’s voice stole his attention and he quickly turned to see where she was. Tzel was unfamiliar with stores inside buildings, having rarely been any, preferring to visit outdoor booths. Inns and taverns he had been to but stores were largely ignored by the playful and adventurous fox with little financial means. He nodded in reply, apparently too shy, at the moment, to speak in front of the man. Tzel continued to stroke his captive tail as the others swished staying lower towards the ground so as not to knock anything over on accident. The kitsune looked around noticing the shelves of various items of produce for sale. Tzel decided to start over by Kit near the spices seeing the various crushed plants and other things some that looked the same and smelled different, while others looked different and smelled the same. Tzel was no master in the kitchen by any means, however he could recognize a few things that he seemed to have fond memories of. “How about some of this?” he asked Kit cautiously holding up a smaller clove of garlic… “I think I remember it tasting good if you don’t have too much.” Tzel stated before turning and seeing some onions. “…or was it those?...” he pondered verbally before noticing something else a little farther away and absently dropping the clove back onto the shelf having completely forgotten about it. “Ooooh! These are delicious!” he stated brandishing two tomatoes from a stand and holding them up. He carried them towards Kit when he spotted something else. Tzel set them on a counter edge having again forgotten about them and skipped over towards some stacked oranges. “These are delicious too! The peel is bothersome but when you get through it… yummm.” he had not even had time to grab one let alone finish his sentence. He turned and had, by this time released his tail from his grasp, so it bumped one of the oranges knocking it to the ground. Completely unaware, the hungry Tzel moved towards his new objective. Picking them up and holding them above his head in triumph he grinned widely. Two shiny green apples, one of his favorite snacks. He practically skipped back towards Kit still grinning hugely. “Have you had these before? They’re the best. I find them out in the woods once in a while and fill my bag with them so I have something to eat for days afterwards.” he licked his lips at the prospect of the snack in his hands and barely refrained from taking a bite from one of them. “ Can we get them?” he asked hopefully completely oblivious to his antics thus far. He simply grinned and waited for her reply, his tails swishing eagerly behind him, dangerously close to knocking over some neatly stacked goods. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 20 2009, 06:54 PM Post #12 |
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The kitsune watched the other with an amused smirk as he went from one spot to another in a wave of excitement. Part of her figured that giving him free reign may not have been the best of ideas, but the other half was convinced it was the greatest thing possible. She liked watching the other fox run about so energetically- he almost looked like he could keep up with herself. "Aye aye... slow down, would ya? And keep track of what you're wanting, huh?" Her voice called after him with a chuckle, reaching to collect the garlic he'd taken interest in. It was lifted before her eyes with an intense gaze, searching the plant for any possible defects. Dissatisfied, she tossed it back onto the shelf before examining another, soon tossing that one aside. "Baaarmey, your plants' gone foul. How you expectin' to run this place with soured fruits?" The fire relit, Barmey had taken to hanging over the counter with crossed arms, watching the two with a judging eye. He was staring at Tzel with a displeased frown when the redhead called to him, distracting his attention away from the other energetic fox. "Foul? Only you would call it that, you mink. No one else has trouble with my wares. It's good for another day atleast, and like you said, you only need it for tonight, don't ya?" Kit hummed a little, looking a third plant over. She knew he had a point; it wasn't meant to last long. But on principal, she'd never admit to it. It was a lesson she'd learned from her mother: Give in once and soon everyone'll be stomping on your tail. "I think this one'll do." She concluded, before moving onto the next item of interest: the onions. These she looked over just as judgementally, selecting one from the mix. Next she looked over the tomatoes Tzel had moved, but dismissed them as inferior and returned them to their shelf where she selected two more suitable ones and added them to her growing armful. At this point she detoured from Tzel's choices, though kept a mental check of them, scouring over the shelves for her own personal choices in spice. She selected a few from the side of the room she'd started on, filling a few small sacks full of the ground-up spice before dropping her current armload off on the counter and going back to track down the rest of Tzel's interests as well as her own. She browsed the oranges, selecting a few, and then stopped by Tzel, looking the apples over. "Hmm... I suppose those are fine. So let's. In fact, I know this desert recipe that uses apples and oranges... perhaps we shall make use of that as well. Pick up a few more apples, in that case. And I'll finish picking out our spices." Behind the counter, Barmey gave an amused huff and leaned back against the wall. This was precisely why he'd come to like Kit's visits: as obnoxious as she was, she had come to be his biggest customer. So when the next time she spoke was addressed to him with the news that she would soon he leaving, it was reasonable that he'd be surprised. "Oh Barm? I just thought I'd tell you that this might be my last visit here." Kit commented from across the room, her eyes never leaving the assortment of ground spice. Barmey's head snapped up, giving her an odd look. "You're leavin', Kit? What for?" "Grant died last week, as I'm sure you've heard. Right in his sleep. No sign of it, no nothin'. Just up and gone." "Yeah? The blacksmith. He was old as they come. But you were training under him, weren't you? Thought I heard you say somethin' about apprenticing once." "Mhm, but with him gone I can't learn anymore. There's nuthin' left tying me here, so I'm goin' off again." Kit returned to the counter with a couple more sacks of spice, laying down another set of coins. "That'll cover it?" Barmey silently counted the coins, thumbing them out across the table before nodding. He'd already gathered most of Kit's things into a sack, so she dragged the bag off the counter and slugged it over her shoulder, turning to leave the store. "Gonna miss ya, Barm. You've the best selection in town, ya know that?" With that, she left, making sure to drag her excited new companion after her. "Chicken next, pup. And do try not to knock anything down for me, kay?" |
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| Tzel | Jan 20 2009, 08:43 PM Post #13 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel nodded as Kit warned him to keep track of things. He reddened a little having just now realized how he must have seemed a moment before and so restrained himself from further action. He did as he was told eagerly carrying a few more apples over to the counter and then skittering away shyly from the shopkeeper to stand out of the way. Tzel listened to the conversation while watching Kit. His tails continued to swish patiently as he heard of her recent goings on and plans to leave soon. That made him both sad and happy. If she left that meant he wouldn’t know where to find her again; but she might travel with him for a ways, which could be fun. Tzel found it inwardly funny that again he had befriended someone related to the trade of blacksmith. As he waited Tzel discreetly pulled out a few scraps of paper form his pocket and began to fold them quietly. He continued to work on his project with practiced ease until he heard Kit up at the counter. It was then that Tzel noticed her withdraw money, and realized he had never once seen her hands go inside her pockets… Tzel wondered if that meant she had power like his father did… to store places…inside places. That was the only way he could really explain it to himself. He stowed his project into one hand with a small burst of heatless blue flame just before kit turned towards him. As she took his free hand to leave he nodded and just before they exited he called to the shopkeeper “Goodbye!” and tossed his free hand upwards. The paper butterflies flittered all about the room and would continue to do so until he was a ways away. “I hope he liked the present.” Tzel stated optimistically as they continued down the street. “I’m sorry about your friend dieing. At least you made a new friend to make up for it.” he grinned giving her hand a squeeze as he said so. His tails waved happily as he continued beside Kit going down the street. “So…where are we going to catch the chicken? I hadn’t found any running around outside the city…” Tzel stated keeping the conversation light and trying to satisfy his curiosity as they moved. He was avoiding, for now, the heavier conversation that lurked out of the present tense. “And where do you keep pulling your money from?” he asked in a quieter voice incase anyone was trying to listen in on them. He was inquisitive, but that was a natural trait that went well with youth. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 21 2009, 09:13 AM Post #14 |
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Kit barely struggled under the sack's weight, though it certainly remained a burden. She lugged it a short way, head tilted a bit as she listened to her companion talk. After a moment, she scoffed, her hand releasing his a moment to roughly pat his shoulder. "Grant was no friend, pup, just a means. The old bat was crude as they come, and just as demanding. Sure was somethin' else, I'll tell ya that, but if there was good aspect of him, it was his skill at bending metal. Y'see, I was after his craft. But the damned old man kept me on menial tasks so long, I never got to learn it." She sighed, dropping her hand back down from his shoulder to regrasp his hand. It didn't take long for the smirk to return to Kit's face, a giggle following its reappearance. He was something else. "You really are a pup, aren't you? We're going to buy a chicken, not hunt it. As fun as it'd be to give my four legs a run about, that'd be the route of a scoundrel. We ain't chicken stealin', just for the principal of it, and I don't know any wild populations runnin' about here. So we'll just do what the humans do, and make work of that money system they're so fond of." When he asked where she kept pulling her money from, however, Kit stopped in her tracks. She turned to him, a smirk broad on her face, and dropped the bag from her shoulder. Before it could even touch the ground it had vanished; gone into thin air. "Like that, you mean?" Both her arms reached up into the air, free from their heavy burden, as Kit stretched out the muscles in her arms and back. Her spine realigned with a slight crack before she returned her arms to her sides, hands on her hips. "Just how old are you, pup? You seem awfully young to be out on your own. And I know that's no illusion, because we don't have the art to change our colors, just the texture of our fur, as my mum used to say. Akin to the human phrase, which I admit makes a bit more sense t'me: the fox can change his fur, but not his habits." |
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| Tzel | Jan 21 2009, 12:04 PM Post #15 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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When Kit giggled at his mistake Tzel blushed a little in embarrassment at his naieve foolishness. Of course he hadn't intended that they would steal one... though he wasn't sure how one stole a wild animal... it made no sense to him. Of course the humans would have a place to get them for themselves, being such lousy hunters with no real teeth or claws, how else would they get them. Jade had mentioned eating chicken before, but they never had, she had been a poor blacksmith. Tzel looked in amazement at the place where the bag vanished, and then with worry. He had seen his father do something similar before... Only instead of a bag of groceries, it was a bandit having suck into the hidden forest... the forest his father had hidden the entrance to inside a knothole in the depths of Soto. This feat was similar and it worried him slightly. When challenged on his age Tzel stood as tall as he could and puffed his chest out proudly. "I'm nineteen years old and i have been living on my own for two whole years." He beamed with pride at his age thinkinig himself a grownup like the others, just not as boring, stuffy or silly. Kit was about the same height as him and he presumed that the two must be near the same age because she was not a boring uppity type like his father, nor was she crazy like the other old ones running free he had met. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 21 2009, 01:21 PM Post #16 |
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The vixen's golden eyes glimmered with amusement as Tzel proudly proclaimed his age. Her grin held back a laughing urge, tempted but not inclined to make mockery of his pride. Still, the facts did remain, and she'd have to kindly tell him so eventually. Sooner than later, and sooner the former than the latter. "So you really are a pup then." Her hands now free, she reached over and patted his head, right between his ears. She kept her lips in a gentle smile, though found it hard to hold back the truth. When it came down to it, she really was his senior. "Two whole years huh, pup? And nineteen already... hmm. Y'still seem a bit too young t'me to be goin' about on your own so soon. I didn't leave my mum until..." Suddenly, laughter wasn't at all hard to contain. Kit's eyes turned dark, her expression grim. It was a horrible thought, and the worst she had. Kit... no. Kyou hadn't left her mother. Her mother was taken away from her. If she'd had a choice, she'd be right back at home, still snuggling up against her mother's side. "Neh... nevermind." She shook her head a little, willing the bad thoughts away, and dropped her hand from Tzel's head to his shoulder. Though her eyes stared ahead of her, she had the gaze of one unseeing, as though what she saw lay well beyond the coming distance. Her far-off gaze soon cleared, however, in light of a passing scent. Both ears, back to their black and pointed state, rose up on her head in interest as she sniffed at the open air. "Mmm... seems we're in luck. There's a butcher open late. If you think you can keep your tails about ya, we'll head in for our chicken there." Back to being the familiar perky Kit, the female fox snatched Tzel's hand up again and led him inside the fine-scented shop. Her emerged tail gave one final swish before both appendages returned to their hidden state, just as she passed through the doorway into the butchery. No sooner were they inside did Kit call out in a sing-song voice, summoning the butcher to their meat-seeking aid. "Chiiiicken pleeeease!" |
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| Tzel | Jan 21 2009, 03:31 PM Post #17 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel grew curious at another allusion to a painful past. At the same time he was reminded of how he lost his own mother at a younger age and wondered if this could be a similar case. “Just how old are you huh?” he asked forgetting his manners and keeping the topic on lighter things for now while they were nearing another shop the smells of which were driving his hungry mind insane. Tzel’s mouth watered and his stomach growled with renewed fury as he entered the shop and was barraged with the sight and smell of numerous tantalizing meats. It was all he could do to keep himself from attacking the nearest hanging meats and devouring them on the spot. He held his tails at his side under one arm, taking literally the instructions he had been given. Tzel saw the portly butcher emerge and had to stifle a giggle at his size and reddened face. “Aye! I’m Try’n to close up here so hurry it up and pick yer cut…” the butcher trailed off seeming to just know notice the two customers, more specifically Tzel. “What in me mothers name do ye think yer doin bringing an animal like that into me shop!” he exclaimed surprised and grumpy. “Get that mangy critter out of here before I lose all me business!” the butcher shouted pointing towards the door. It took Tzel a moment to realize what was going on but as it dawned on him he grew terrified and his entire body tensed up frozen in fear and gripping Kit’s hand tightly. “I SAID GET!” the man shouted directly at Tzel and his fear finally took over Tzel bolted from the store and across the street into an alley before he tripped over his own tails and flipped head over heel landing on his back in the dirt. He lay ther panting and feeling his heart beating as his face reddened with embarrassment for looking like such a coward. He had been taken by surprise not expecting the sudden loud noise, let alone the angry confrontation. Loud noises bothered him enough that that alone might have made him start, the rest was instinct and shyness taking over. “Coward…” he murmered to himself angrily pounding his fist on the ground before trying to get up. Edited by Tzel, Jan 21 2009, 03:33 PM.
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 21 2009, 04:09 PM Post #18 |
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She had heard his question, but decided to put it off until after they'd had dinner and a moment of quiet in which to converse. Her expectations upon entering the meat shop, however, were much to her unwanted surprise. First things had seemed amiable, but with one look at Tzel the world came crashing down in one very unhappy moment, and the portly man began shouting at her poor young friend. When, with a final shout, he ran out the door like a frightened rabbit, a switch flicked on in Kit's brain. Of course people would be like this. What had made her think any different? This place was not all that different after all. For a moment she was silent, eyes dark as she stared at the fat fellow. Her eyes narrowed and her teeth clenched together, two fangs extending out amidst her bottom teeth. A deep throaty growl arose in her throat, and then her face took on a beastial change. Her mouth and nose protruded out into a vulpine snout, and her black canine ears flattened back against her skull. Skin once fair grew a coating of red fur with a muzzle stained in black and a yellow the shade of harvest running down from her chin to her chest, and disappearing on past the collar of her tunic. Like a protectice mother fox, Kit bared her fangs with her tail lashing and claws drawn. "How dare you speak to us that way, human?" She snapped at him with a deepened bark, her voice still carrying its feminine tone. Eyes narrowed, she stepped closer to the man with her fur puffed out in anger. If intimidation was what it took to protect "her cub", then intidimidation was just what this man would get. Fangs bared and golden eyes glaring, she did not stop her approach until her snout was in his face. "Never ever speak to a fox that way again! Do you hear me, swine? Now you'll get us our meat before I help myself to a taste of human flesh!" In the back of her mind, Kit hoped Tzel wasn't listening. Or even watching. This was not the side of herself she had pride in; this was the beastly side she only kept out of necessity. It was not good karma to put on such a vicious face; she'd learned that the hard way. "Now. Hurry up and I'll still pay you your share." |
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| Tzel | Jan 21 2009, 04:34 PM Post #19 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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"A-allright miss, i was just tryin to keep my meats fro getting fur on em is all... it's late at night and oi've had a bit-o-the sauce. Didn't mean to be so rude..." the man stammered as he brought out his second best cuts of chicken meant on the counter and wrapped them quickly. His hands shook as he did so and he continually looked towards the other nervously. "Will this be all Miz?" he spoke still quavering... Still in the alley Tzel slowly sat up his back sore from his fall and several bruises on her person, covered in dust from the road. He tried to fix his hair even though he had no mirror to do so, vanity winning over all else for a brief moment. Then he tried to rise to his feet and did so, laboriously and with a bit of involuntary whimpering. The Kitsune stepped forwards and let out a bit of a yelp of pained surprise, falling once again. It seemed in his moment of foolish cowardice, Tzel had not only hurt his pride but also his ankle. Getting up again he bit his lip and bore through the pain as he limped back out into the street towards the shop so he would be nearby when Kit emerged. Stupid pup, he thought to himself with drooping ears and limply hanging tails. Running like an infant, shoulda kicked him in the nose is what i shoulda done... Tzel mentally chastised himself for his previous display frusterated, insulted, and injured. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 21 2009, 05:04 PM Post #20 |
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Kit huffed as the man stammered and went off, fetching her the meat she'd requested. Her golden eyes never left him for as long as he was in her sight, waiting for him to wrap their order so that she might take her well deserved leave. She neared the counter once the meat was wrapped, sniffing at it briefly before releasing a decisive snort. "Yeah yeah, that'll be fine. Now here's your coins, you stupid pig." Carelessly she dropped the coins onto the counter, ignoring the scattering coins as a few rolled right off the table and out along the floor. Cut of meat in hand, Kit strode out with a haughty flick of her tail, snout raised in contempt. She was angry, both at the butcher and at herself. But she'd never let Tzel see it; no sooner she'd past through the door she was human again, a faint smile on her face. When she spotted Tzel it was with sad eyes, knowing the sort of pain he most have been feeling from getting chased out like that. Her smile lifted into a reassuring one as she approached, dropping the meat just as she had the sack, and with the same result. With both hands free, she strode up to her injured kin, and brushed a hand against his cheek. "Are you alright, Tzel? I'm so sorry that man did that to you. It wasn't right of him." She sighed, wrapping both her arms around him to comfort him. It was a horrible feeling, one that Kit had once known well, to be chased out by the humans. For Tzel, she wished she could erase the memory, and free him from that horrible emotion that would soon lead to an instinctive fear. After so many years, she was just barely over it, but for Tzel, whom still had so much time left in his life... it hurt. "Do not mind him, please. Some have not come to accept our kind, but with time they will learn. We must be tolerant of them, and remember the short lives humans have and how slow they learn as result of it." Her voice was soft as she held him close, tears brimming at her own eyes. She wanted to wash that doubt away... to spare any other kitsune from the hate she had once known. In a whisper, her voice flowed to his ears. "I know what it's like... to be chased away. The pain... the hate... that feeling of cowardice, that there was something you should have done. But let it go, Tzel. You did the right thing. Trust me." |
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| Tzel | Jan 21 2009, 05:25 PM Post #21 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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It hurt inside, and she knew it. She seemed to know every thought that had gone through his young mind. But still it burned. He had met many people and been many places but never before had someone yelled at him so harshly for having done nothing save enter a building. Tzel had not felt close to tears until he heard the hurt reflected in Kits voice as she embraced him and a few tears rolled down his cheek much to his own protest. "It's not fair!" he finally choked out. "I didn't do anything... If i can't live out here with the people, i dont have anywhere else to go." he shuddered finally allowing a twinge of homesickness to show through... but there was no going back. None that wouldn't crush his spirit forever. "No one ever yelled at me like that before, unless i did something wrong to deserve it..." he wiped his eyes with one of his hands trying to get rid of the evidence of his hurt. "How can running away be the right answer, if it is our only choice it is just like being controlled. I already have to hide who I am everywhere i go, now i have to hide what I am too?" he asked rehtorically not expecting Kit to understand what he meant. Tzel had given her his nickname, his traveling name, his full real name was yet undisclosed so simply by summations sake, anyone would expect he was just a normal Kitsune out on his own in the world for one reason or another. Although he prefered his nickname, it still felt like lieing every time he met someone new and Tzel hated that. "I don't even know how to do that." he sniffled. "I can't hide like you Kit. I don't know how." He finished in a quieter tone incase anyone was listening as continued to embrace Kit feeling safer here, not admitting to himself that it reminded him of his mother. |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 21 2009, 05:48 PM Post #22 |
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Though her expression remained sad, her lips pulled back into a smile, parting to let out a choked laugh. As she did so, tears escaped down her own cheeks, and she rubbed them away with a hand. He was right, of course. It wasn't fair. But it was the hand they were dealt in life. For crimes of their kin, they, the good-natured, were blamed. It wasn't fair at all. "I know... I know." She whispered softly, her trembling voice trying to return to a soothing tone. It was hard for her, because seeing him was like seeing a younger version of herself... hurt and frustrated, because the humans could not accept her for who she was. Who... he was. It was because he was male that he could understand Tzel so well. That male pride shattered apart in an instant, and then, in a fluster, working so hard to build itself back together again. With it came anger, and shame. "We have to do the best we can... to prove that we aren't the horrors they make us out to be." A genuine smile found its way to her lips, though still marred with a look of depression. Gently, she rubbed his back to soothe him, humming just faintly a tune that she remembered from many years past. It was because of the action that she smiled, remembering it from a different place at that time: it was what her own mother had done for her. "No Tzel... no. Don't be like me. I am a coward to hide my race. We are freer here than the land I come from, people are more accepting. Times are changing, Tzel. I want you, no matter how many people yell at you, to be proud of who you are. Show them how a kitsune can be. You have a good heart, Tzel. Make use of it." She smiled and pulled back, holding his hands within her own. Her golden eyes stared into his, bright with reassurance. If anyone was to prove to the world that kitsune weren't all bad, it would have to be one unafraid to show their face. Born in a time and place when such a thing were considered suicide, Kit could not rise up to the task. But Tzel, still young, had a chance. "Please? For me?" |
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| Tzel | Jan 22 2009, 09:51 AM Post #23 |
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The Snuggle Fiend
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Tzel whipped his eyes and looked into Kit’s Biting his lip to keep it from quivering further, he nodded silently in agreement. “I promise Kit.”He hugged her tight again before releasing her and slipping his hand back into hers and tugging on it a little. “Can we go make dinner now? I…I don’t want to be here anymore.” Tzel wanted to get out of the street and away from that shop. He had promised to be brave but for tonight he just wanted to go someplace away from here and nurse his wounds. He wanted to go so he could eat, fix rest his wounded ankle, and be someplace private where he could tell Kit his real name, and why he hadn’t told it to her to start with. It had been a long day and a trying night so far, going from fun and excitement one moment to tears the next was draining and he was tired. Inwardly he reflected on what had been asked of him and the events that had transpired. Tzel hoped that the cruelty he had expierenced today was not one that would be a frequent occurrence as he traveled…then again, it was a sign. A sign that he truly was far from home and his beginnings, Tzel had left his sheltered life and was finally seeing all the sides of the world. His eyes being opened to both the good and the bad… well…this is what he had wanted. Perhaps this was what he was meant to do… On a final thought he added, with a murmur “I don’t think you’re a coward Kit.” |
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| Kristian Vulpae | Jan 22 2009, 04:35 PM Post #24 |
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Given his promise, Kit gave Tzel a fond smile, reaching up to pet between his ears. He really was a good cub, and if she were his mother, she knew she'd be proud. But for all the years he'd lived, he still didn't know if he even could be someone's mother; he'd blurred the lines and crossed that gender boundary so many times that one way or another it didn't matter, but he still wasn't certain of the full extent of his transforming. Sometimes it was difficult for him to even determine with what voice he was thinking in. But Kit was his mother's daughter. He'd made that choice. "Sure. There's just one thing left we need but... y'know, the shopkeeper there gives me a free room anyhow. Might as well head off there and have a warm place for the night, hm?" She smiled, rising to her full female height. With boths ears and tail in view she cocked her head, attempting a cute face to reassure the younger fox. Her smile quickly turned to a fanged grin as her tail started to swish about behind her. There was something about the place she had in mind that really got her excited: it housed one of the greatest minorities in Elenlond. It took a true foreigner like herself to know it, and even in her own homeland the race was not commonly found. She just had to introduce Tzel to him, a creature like their own race, with abilities much akin to theirs. "Ohh, and trust me when I say that there is absolutely no possibility of this one chasin' ya out, Tzel. In fact, I will walk in with my ears and tail in plain view to prove it. He's a good fellow, and knows quite a bit o' what it's like to be different. Though I dun think he gets half as much trouble for it... he's more a coward than me, I swear it." She sniggered, shaking her head. "Or more like he's got a bit more self control than I have. Right better at keepin' himself hidden." The fond smile returned as she began to lead Tzel off again, slower and with less energy than before. Voice softened, she thanked him for his belief. "Thank you, Tzel... but I am a bit of a coward. It's not intention, mere by habit. Was how I was raised, you see, so it's hard to let fade. But most of the time, I'd say I've got about as much concern as you when it comes to lettin' my fox features show. Really... if you tried to get into my life and how my mind works, you'd be lost very quickly. All in all, y'don't know the half of it." ((>.> Kit confuses me.)) |
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