Ishgha here has offered to be our guide to our destination, and perhaps if things go well as additional help with the caravan. There are better ways to live than raiding others. He said simply offering his best smile.
"Raiding is boring. What is so fun about cutting people who don't even know how to hold a sword by the right end?"
"...alright, I guess he can come with us. Just don't act surprised if more folks don't want to trade with us along the way."
"Eh I don't know" Shrugged Gergo as he looked to Sandru "Haven't met a lot of people that said no to a chance to make coin" He continued as he looked about the town his eyes still on the look out for anything of interest.
The night passes quietly...
------------
18th of Gozran, 4715 AR
The next morning, after a quick breakfast (and after everyone else has had a chance to finish any business they may still have in town), the caravan pulls up stakes and sets out along the northern road. The sleepy fishing town begins to fade in the distance as the caravan moves alongside the Chavali River, and crosses a stone bridge to continue the journey north.
The first day of this leg of the journey takes the caravan a good distance to the north, skirting the southern edges of the Stony Mountains before turning to the northwest. The trail is well-paved, but showing signs of disrepair.
Over the course of the week, Ishgha keeps mostly to himself, making no noise when marching and even less when sleeping. Were it not for Kavell being around to speak with him, one would be forgiven for thinking he's trying to outdo Friday in terms of being silent.
Shalelu takes more and more opportunities to range out from the caravan, allowing Haru & Gergo to join her if they so wish.
Ameiko spends half of her time keeping the caravan's spirits high with her cooking & music, and the other half trying to get Ishgha to open up more. She's not particularly successful--if anything, the hobgoblin becomes more determined to avoid her.
Koya remains in her wagon for most of the day, and keeps to herself.
By the time the party makes camp, Sandru is pleased to report that they've managed to cover a lot of ground today--if all goes well, the caravan should reach the Velashu Uplands and beyond in two days.
When Gergo was not appeasing his occasional desire to simply lay down and let the uncoordinated melody of wheels and the mostly consistent shaking of the wagon take his thoughts elsewhere, he was looking out at the many sights and sounds they passed along their journey. His favorite by far were the mountains, the moment his eyes fill on them he was filled with the incredible to desire to simply jump from the caravan and see about scaling them, but his promise to Shalelu held him in check.
Their occasional scouting runs were not his favorite activity, as he was usually asked to keep quiet and not move as much as the rest of their scouting party as he wasn't exactly versed in the art of remaining out sight, but he always held a secret hope that they'd find a bunch of bandits or goblins and Shalelu would order him to cause havoc in their ranks. He still held that hope in secret at least.
Once they made camp Gergo did what he could to help the party set up for the night, and after it was done he volunteered for first watch as he excitedly awaited their dinner to be prepared.
The morning before they left had one rather curious event - Valeria actually got up early. Nary a word to anyone, she'd gone to the crate of books, dissertations and monographs she'd brought with her and headed into town carrying a large satchel stuffed full of various tomes and documents.
She returned later with the satchel still full, but with different books now. She explained that she'd traded in a pile of old books and other research material that, she felt, she'd learnt all she could from (or where notes she'd taken from them covered enough of the material that she no longer needed the source) in order to pick up as much new research material as she could.
What she didn't tell anyone was that one of the new books had nothing to do with her research. Not until they set up camp for the night and retrieved the book from the supply wagon.
"Ameiko," she called out as she went over to the bardess, "was saving this for when we stopped for the night." she handed her the book; a collection of stories and legends from the area. "There's probably some overlap with the ones that passed through the Dragon - at least one in there sounds like it could be the Sandpoint Devil but with a different spin on its behaviour - but if nothing else then they could inspire some brand new stories."
Kavell did his best to help Ishgha assimulate with non hobgoblin society while at the same time doing his best to speak with the others in the caravan attempting to keep spirits up. In his hands constant was a peice of wood, his carving knife always working. The first item he made was a wooden medallion with a fox, a hound, and a raven on it, The fox appeared to be chasing the raven, the hound the fox and the raven appeared to be chasing the hounds tail.
For Valeria's medallion he carved the likeness of a Raven, a mouthy one two steaming small coffee cups in its talons...
Gergo recieved a medallion with a bull upon it, Ameiko a dragon simular to the sign back at the rusty dragon.
And thats where it got a little complicated. He had no idea what to make for the elven ranger, nor for her lovely protege. Sandru himself could be as difficult as well. . . For that he would have to seek help, perhaps from the owner of the rusty dragon itself, she seemed to know everyone best.
Gergo's eyes were upon the wooden medallion he had received, his attention seemed so unshakable that even should a real bull rampage through he would not pay the animal any notice. He turned the gift around and then stepped into an area where the sun shone through as if he was trying to notice something.
"You know I was already on the way to thinking that you were a person who'd be great to tell tavern tales with" Gergo turned to the craftsman but his eyes were still on the piece of art that he now held by the string "Now you had to speed that along" His hand went from the string to the wooden bull itself.
"Thank you" A broad, and genuinely happy smile came across Gergo's face "Never got much presents, so this is definitely something I'll be keeping around even when I am old and grey, then I can tell my bratty kids about...if I have any" His traditional laughter rang through the area before he slung the medallion around his neck.
"Now you say thank you too Greedy" Gergo looked to the parrot on his shoulder.
"THANK YOU GREEDY!" Said the grey feathered parrot before giving off a squawk, and beginning the process of preening itself.
Ameiko looks up at you as you walk over to her, putting aside her samisen. "Oh? What's this now?"
She handed her the book; a collection of stories and legends from the area. "There's probably some overlap with the ones that passed through the Dragon - at least one in there sounds like it could be the Sandpoint Devil but with a different spin on its behaviour - but if nothing else then they could inspire some brand new stories."
She takes the leather-bound book from your hands and opens it up to the first few pages. "Well..."
A smile breaks out on her face. "Thanks, Valeria."
----------------
Ameiko has a free moment as the caravan stops to make camp. "Yeah, Kavell? Something up?"
As you carve medallions for your caravan mates, you notice Ishgha watching you work with a stoic, yet puzzled expression on his face.
"What are you doing?" He scratches the back of his head.
A couple of things really, and I am terribly sorry for bothering you with this but. . .
He began quietly offering her first her wooden medallion. He felt more than a bit awkward.
I was making things for everyone really, but I reached a ...crux when thinking of both lady Haru and lady Shalelu. I was making these to give to everyone, something a little personal as a gift for giving me the chance to show another a better life, but to be honest I have no clue what would be personal to them. You know them better than I any hints?
He asked almost sheepishly.
I am a paladin of Shelyn... uh something of a holy man?
He began trying to figure out how to explain it to the hobgoblin.He had met more common folk whom he had a hard time explaining it too, after all the paladins in the stories were all dashing handsome heros smiting demons and evil left and right, something he certainly did not do.
Part of the tenants of my faith include creating beauty every day. I have some skill with carving, so as a gift to my companions I am creating little medallions. I sculpt things from wood, and stone when I have the time, though the road doesnt leave much time for that I'm afraid. I do not use it for such, but a skilled carver can make a pretty decent living off of their talents. Friday, the quiet man whom i gave the first medallion too, He paints scenes of such beauty it makes the heart alive with joy. Another talent that some people will pay much coin for, though the best practicioner's do it for the love of the art not the coin.
He offered the hobgoblin A half worked peice of the firewood, He had been thinking of making a carving of a wolf chasing a stag or something with it.
Perhaps you would care to try something as we travel?
Haru spends her time with Shalelu in the woods, keeping watch for any other threats to the caravan.
"You think bringing the hob is a mistake?" she asks the elf, feeling conflicted by the mercy her coreligionist is showing.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Hmm..." Ameiko rests a hand on her chin in thought. "...well, I know Shalelu likes outdoorsy-themed things. That is, when she's not poking around for the latest bits of survival gear." She shrugs. "Can't say for certain what sort of things Haru likes. You might want to ask her when she comes back from scouting."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ishgha looks at the half-worked piece of wood with an arched eyebrow. "Normally, such wood would be carved into a quiver of arrows. Or perhaps a sturdy cudgel. I do not see much point in wasting such resources otherwise."
He picks up a carving knife and takes the half-worked log, and wordlessly starts carving something.
"You think bringing the hob is a mistake?"
"Yes." The ranger curtly says, her eyes darting all around as she scans the surrounding hills for potential threats.
"I don't know why he hasn't tried to escape yet. They don't think like we do--the idea of one submitting to capture willingly is unheard of."
A breeze ran by as Gergo stood a couple of feet from the caravan wagons. It ruffled his unruly mane of blond, and pushed at what patches of clothes his armor exposed. The wild man stretched his arms backwards as he took in a deep breath, it made him feel refreshed and rejuvenated even after spending hours helping with random things at the caravan.
The axe-wielder looked back at his home on the road and took notice of their latest addition; the hobgoblin. He honestly never expected for him to join them, just the fact that he told them about the castle and its inhabitants was reward and surprise enough for Gergo. His feelings towards his addition were not strong either way he didn't loath the hobgoblin nor did he like him, he was no different to Gergo than any stranger he'd met before...still he understood the worry of some of his companions, no one wanted to wake up with a dagger in their back...literally or figuratively. Still Ishga didn't act in a threatening manner if he did then Gergo would do to him what he did to any stranger who decided to act in a hostile manner, apply axe to skull with enough force.
Before that thought could come to a conclusion Gergo had his axe in his hands, the only sounds about him were the fluttering of his feathery companions wings and the blowing of another soft breeze. In the following instant Gergo a massive vertical swing at empty, allowed the swing to guide him then let loose another, then he stopped and let the blade of his weapon touch the ground.
Half a grin decorated his face forms and techniques weren't his strength, he followed his instincts in and out of fights...still it felt somewhat fun just to swing at non existent enemies and imagine how they'd react and how he'd react in return. While they were here he saw no hurry in returning to the caravan. This would do as a way to pass the time...for now.
====================================================================
Hours later a more psyched Gergo returned to the caravan, he took notice of Sandru and approached him "How far are we from the castle?" He asked excitedly as he shrugged his right shoulder several times.
Sandru is sitting by the campfire, looking over a map of the region. He gives a start as you speak up. "Oh! Um--er--*ahem*--well, we've made better progress than I thought. The next leg of our trip is going to involve going through the Velashu Uplands."
He smooths out the map and traces his finger along a route he marked on it. "Assuming all goes well, we should make it to Brinewall within 4 days, if not sooner. Still not sure what we'll find when we get there..."
"Oh you weren't there when the hobgoblin told us what we'd find there" Gergo's hand went to his head, his vision going skyward.
"Something about red humanoids with big noses and men with raven heads...makes you just want to blink and find yourself there doesn't it?" Gergo's eyes went back to the caravan master with their usual gleam of interest unwavering.
"But four days, hmmmm...any other towns along the way there or is it just barren till Brinewall?" The blond lobbed yet another question at Sandru, his left hand busy petting the bird the bird at his shoulder.
"...yeeeeaah." Sandru chuckles nervously. "Sounds like a lot of fun."
"It doesn't look like there's any other towns this far north of Riddleport--but if you're really interested in meeting new folks, you could always see if we run into a band of Velashu Horselords."
"Heard of them" Gergo began shrugging his right shoulder once more then looked at the caravan "Would be fun to see that many horses riding by, maybe they have things to trade" He continued as he sat down next to Sandru and began looking into the map.
"You don't expect us to run into anymore trouble? And have you heard about any of the people after the boss lady in town?" Gergo ran a hand through his stubble, his attention still occupied by the map.
"I hope we don't get into any more trouble, certainly, but odds are it'll find us all the same." Sandru scratches his head. "And I can't say I've heard anything about someone looking for Ameiko--Roderic's Cove was quiet before our... uh, newest 'guest' joined up with us, and looked just as quiet as we left."
He looks down and scuffs his boot on the dirt. "I still don't know why someone would want to hurt her..."
"We'd need more than one night if I was going to tell you all the reasons why someone would want to hurt someone else" Said Gergo as he placed his left arm closer to his right shoulder and waited for Greedy to hop on to it "And the boss lady has something left by her grandfather, meaning its something old and could be worth something" The bird made the jump and took a few moments to find the most comfortable place on his owner's arm.
"Wars have been started over less! I should know I fought in some" Gergo began petting the bird and smoothing it's feathers. Greedy in return playfully nibbled at his owner's fingers.
"But its not all bad! No one sent an army after her...yet" Gergo gave Sandru a friendly, if a bit too strong clasp on the back "And we can cross that bridge when we get to it, probably will be a pretty bloody bridge eh?" Gergo let out a short chortle before returning to playing with his pet.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Glad you like it," Valeria replied, "stumbled across it while I was the bookstore in town."
"To tam, Róg-dziewczyna, należy się sprawdził twoje oczy." the woman behind the counter replied, more interested in the pipe in her mouth and the book in her hand than Valeria's attempts to keep her balance and insisting on speaking some unusual dialect that sounded like a mix of Varisian and Skald. If the tiefling wasn't fluent in both, she'd have no clue what the old bat was saying.
"Well it's pretty dusty up here and I can be prone to allergies some times. And are you sure this ladder's safe? It feels like one of the legs is a whole foot shorter than the others."
"Oczywiście, że to bezpieczne, użyłem go w zeszłym tygodniu. Masz ogon, równoważyć się z tym."
Valeria could only mumble to herself in response, "Sure, use my tail for balance; not that kind of tail, granny." Of course, that was the moment gravity decided to reassert itself and send the young mage toppling to the floor with a scream that was far more girly than she would ever admit.
"Jesteś czyszczenia, że się." the owner said, not even glancing up from her book.
"Well," Xel mumbled, "you're not wrong about the 'stumbled' part."
"Oh shut up."
"Yes." The ranger curtly says, her eyes darting all around as she scans the surrounding hills for potential threats.
"I don't know why he hasn't tried to escape yet. They don't think like we do--the idea of one submitting to capture willingly is unheard of."
Haru nods. "I'm hoping this isn't some kind of trap that's been set for us. I mean, it seems unlikely -- why would some mastermind instruct all his hobgoblin minions to give people false information and lead them into a trap, on the off chance that someone wanting to go to Castle Brinewall would happen upon them and defeat them, but decide to let a hobgoblin barter information for his life? No, now that I say it it sounds like the plot of some ridiculous copper-dreadful novel like they sell in the markets of Magnimar." Haru laughs lightly. "Maybe he's impressed by your abilities, Shae, and assumes if he runs off you'll hunt him down and kill him. It's only reasonable, after all."
Haru sighs and shivers. "Is it just me or are the nights getting colder? Maybe we're in for an oncoming storm. Have you ever been this far away from Sandpoint before, Shae? I never have. I looked at Sandru's maps, and we're farther away than Magnimar. I guess... I feel a little small when I think about how big the world is."
"Oh, wow; thanks Kavell," Valeria said, looking over the carving, "this is great."
"Is that supposed to be me?" Xel scoffed, examining the medallion.
Ameiko giggles and motions for Valeria to sit next to her. "Come here--I want to see how many of these I already know."
Haru nods. "I'm hoping this isn't some kind of trap that's been set for us. I mean, it seems unlikely -- why would some mastermind instruct all his hobgoblin minions to give people false information and lead them into a trap, on the off chance that someone wanting to go to Castle Brinewall would happen upon them and defeat them, but decide to let a hobgoblin barter information for his life? No, now that I say it it sounds like the plot of some ridiculous copper-dreadful novel like they sell in the markets of Magnimar."
Shalelu lets out a sigh. "It does sound quite unlikely, I'll admit. But that's assuming we're dealing with a mastermind in the first place."
"Maybe he's impressed by your abilities, Shae, and assumes if he runs off you'll hunt him down and kill him. It's only reasonable, after all."
She smirks. "He won't have a chance to run if he tries it."
"Is it just me or are the nights getting colder? Maybe we're in for an oncoming storm. Have you ever been this far away from Sandpoint before, Shae? I never have. I looked at Sandru's maps, and we're farther away than Magnimar. I guess... I feel a little small when I think about how big the world is."
"I'd sometimes range this far north, yes. Not as far as Kaer Maga or the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, but I used to live in the Mierani Forest--in fact, it isn't that far from the route we're taking."
"And yes, I've noticed the nights are starting to get colder." Her tone turns serious again. "I knew I forgot to get proper cold-weather clothes back at Roderic's Cove... what about you?"
"Ow." Sandru says in mock discomfort as you clap him on the back. "Yeah, you've got a point there--no reason to worry about it yet. And who knows..."
"...it might be a ton of fun!"
Haru nods at Shalelu. "I picked some up before we left Sandpoint. We had that money from selling the things we found, and I decided to splurge on a few new outfits, and a set of furs, just in case we went further north than I expected. You're welcome to share my furs if you need to... err..." Haru blushes as she realizes the unintended double meaning of that phrase.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Hmm." Shalelu purses her lips and arches an eyebrow at you.
"Now you are starting to see it" Said Gergo as he got up from his seat without warning, the shadow he reflected by the flame extending even further. It looked for a moment like he was going to say something else but then he just looked at the night sky, his smile growing as he noticed the assortment of stars in the darkness that veiled the world "I think I am going to take a walk around the caravan" With those words he left the caravan master to his planning and walked about aimlessly on occasion looking up to the sky.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"S-s-sorry! I don't... I was... that wasn't... I mean, if you need to borrow the furs or warm clothes I brought you're welcome to." Haru stammers out a correction and then buries her face in her hands.
A prickling feeling rushes over Haru's skin, and she lifts her face to see her hands are covered with fur, having shifted back into her fox-humanoid form. She looks up at her mentor. "That's the fourth time this week I've shifted without meaning to. It's always happened when I was alone before -- in my bedroll or something. Spending time with others all day, every day, is different than going home and being able to fur-out immediately. It's like keeping a muscle clenched all the time. Sooner or later it starts to... twitch."
She sighs, shifting back to human guise. "I'll have to tell them soon, so they don't become upset if it happens in front of them. I'm just... nervous. I trust Valeria, and Friday, but Gergo is so... aggressive. Kavell -- I think I can trust him to make judgements about me for me, not appearances, especially after he's willing to give even a hob a chance. Ameiko, I've known for years, I think she'll be alright with it, but I'm not sure about Sandru or Koya, I don't know them quite so well. What do you think?"
"S-s-sorry! I don't... I was... that wasn't... I mean, if you need to borrow the furs or warm clothes I brought you're welcome to."
"Oh, I wasn't objecting to the idea." Shalelu's face softens a bit. "It'd be a practical way to share body warmth."
She doesn't react as you shift back into your fox-humanoid form, instead listening attentively to you.
"I'll have to tell them soon, so they don't become upset if it happens in front of them. I'm just... nervous. I trust Valeria, and Friday, but Gergo is so... aggressive. Kavell -- I think I can trust him to make judgements about me for me, not appearances, especially after he's willing to give even a hob a chance. Ameiko, I've known for years, I think she'll be alright with it, but I'm not sure about Sandru or Koya, I don't know them quite so well. What do you think?"
"I don't think you'll have much to worry about, Haru." She rests a hand on your shoulder and looks you in the eyes. "If anything, Koya will be constantly nagging you for details about your people--Desnan clergy tend to be like that." A half-smile appears on her face. "I've known her to be quite open-minded--if she hasn't yet raised any objections to the hobgoblin's presence, I doubt she'll be bothered by your real form."
"Sandru might not take it as well as she does, but I think it'd be more because he'd feel that he was lied to for how long it's been going on. That being said..." She wiggles her nose as a breeze blows past the two of you. "...he puts a lot of trust in Koya's word, and if she's alright with it, he'll probably be as well."
"And if Gergo has a problem with it, I'll make sure to have a talk with him."
Haru blushes again when Shalelu seems to be positive towards the idea of sharing furs at night.
"We'll consider that when it gets cold enough to worry..." she mumbles.
"Folks? I've got something important to tell you all," Haru calls out to the caravan as she walks back from the patrol she and Shalelu were on.
After waiting for everyone to gather around (except the Hobgoblin, she doesn't care if he's there or not), she then begins.
"So, there's something I've been keeping to myself since I was little. My parents told me it was something I shouldn't share with the whole community, because there's always some folks who are intolerant of anything different, but that when I was an adult, I could tell people who I trusted. I've not meant to deceive any of you, I promise. It's just been... well, difficult, when you're used to hiding certain aspects of who you are, to let go of that. I feel like I can trust all of you, considering what we've been through together, although I admit that being out here on the road, away from Sandpoint and the town gossips makes it easier as well." She pauses, realizing that her nervousness is making her ramble on.
"Are you okay? You don't have to tell us anything if you don't want to Miss Haru." Friday speaks up, worried about whatever could have the archer so rattled.
Try as hard as he might, Gergo couldn't think of what Haru was hiding. It was something she had since she was little, people would wouldn't stand her if she was around because of it or so her parents thought and that's why they told her to keep it a secret. If anything her parents actions were the thing that made it all so confusing; he didn't remember having any parents, so he really couldn't see why anyone would ask something like that of their daughter Do all parents ask their kids to keep secrets about themselves? The blond craned his neck to the right and his avian friend took it as an invite to climb his head. When Gergo righted himself once more, Greedy was at the top of his head looking down at everyone else.
"I can't understand what you are talking about" Said Gergo, his lips formed a line and his eyes stared at Haru in a quizzical manner "Keeping a secret for that long seems bothersome, so I really don't see why anyone would try to do that. Even if everyone would gang up on you and try to hurt you for it, you either fight them off or run before the secret is out"
"You shouldn't have to run from people you care about."
"You shouldn't have to run from people you care about."
"She shouldn't have to hire muscle just to see what her grandfather left her" Gergo pointed a thumb in Ameiko's direction "But life isn't like that. Even I have to do things I don't fancy from time to time"
"I didn't say it doesn't happen, I'm saying it doesn't have to."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Huh? Haru, what are you getting at?" Sandru looks up from his beef jerky with a puzzled look on his face.
Ameiko closes the book Valeria gave her and looks up at Haru as well. "Oh, this should be interesting. I'm all ears."
"We're all friends here, Haru." Koya says with a quick glance at Ishgha, who looks away into the fire. "You can tell us."
Ishgha grunts. "Out with it, then."
Kavell tilted his head to the side and gave her is best soft frown and look of concern. Whatever the problem was, if she was born with it, had been living with it, and was afraid to tell others about it, he wasnt so sure it was good. In the health sense that is. He wondered if it were some sort of disease. He did not have those talents as of yet, but perhaps on the way back from this Brinewall they could stop by one of the larger temples and see about it.
Haru gives Ishgha a glance with narrowed eyes, but turn her gaze back to the others. She twists a scarf in her hands nervously, but continues.
"Alright, I'm just going to say it. I'm not human. I know my family has let everyone believe that we are since they moved to Sandpoint, but we're not. As in, not at all. Val and Kavell are mostly human with a bit of nonhuman blood in them. If I have any human ancestors at all, which is possible with my kind, but rare, it's many generations ago. We're known as Kitsune, and we're shapeshifters."
To illustrate this last statement, Haru relaxes her mental control over her form and transforms into the fox hybrid form that until now only her family and Shalelu have seen. She has dark fur, black, red, and brown, with sharp, vulpine ears and a sharp-toothed muzzle. Her eyes, though, are the same.
"This... well, this is me. Haru Yoshioka, the Kitsune."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Friday listens intently, confused and curious as Haru explains about herself. And then she changes right before his and everyone else's eyes.
His eyes widen a bit as he looks over the fox creature speaking with Haru's voice in awe. After a moment he speaks the first thing that comes to his mind without really thinking about it.
"You're pretty."
Sitting next to Ameiko, Valeria listened to Haru explain. She couldn't blame anyone for trying to hide what they were if there was a chance people wouldn't understand - the thought had crossed her mind plenty of times over the years along with a desire to hide her fiendish features. She had given up on such thoughts, but she could understand Haru hiding what she was.
Her eyes lit up as Haru changed, though, her mind already racing. "That's amazing!" she exclaimed, "How does it work? Is it a full polymorphic change or just a mental illusion? How much control do you have? Can you stop partway between both forms? Maybe even go through full-body animalistic transmutation to turn into a fox? How does-" she stopped herself, "sorry; geeked out for a second there."
Haru smiles at the compliment from Friday, and then giggles a little at the barrage of questions from Valeria. "Um, I don't know how it works, it just does. To me it feels kind of like a muscle, like I have to tense it up to be in human form, and then relax it to go back to this. It's my real form, you can touch the fur and everything. I only have the two forms, but my parents have told me about some Kitsune who could transform fully into an animal-type fox, and others who have learned to mimic the faces of specific people."
She sighs, the response seems to be more positive than she feared. "If I can relax from time to time around you all, it will be easier for me. I sleep much more restfully when I can do it naturally. Of course I'll go back to human form when we encounter people, so no one thinks I'm a were-fox or something."
"You can relax us Miss Haru, we'll keep you safe." Friday promises the Kitsune.
He wanted to leave it at that but spurred on by Valeria's questions an odd, to him, thought entered his mind. "Um, Miss Haru, can only... Kit-soons transform like you or can all Tians change like that?" he asked, slightly unsteady as he looked down at his hand while he flexed it.
Would one day a muscle just un-tense and his body all of a sudden sprout fur or scales, a late gift from his mother?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ameiko's expression is mirroring Valeria's right now--she approaches Haru with a wondrous look in her eyes. "Wow! I've heard stories of kitsune--but I never thought a whole family of them were my neighbours for so long! Now I kinda wish I knew earlier..."
Koya walks up to Haru and sits next to her. "Well, now isn't this something. Can't say I've ever heard of a kit-soon before (sorry if I pronounced it wrong, by the by). Mind if I ask what they're like?"
Sandru, on the other hand, just looks at Haru with a confused look on his face. "Uh... okay? Kinda weird, but you're still the same you. I wish I knew about this before, but... eh, can't really one to judge now, can I?"
Ishgha takes a step back and says nothing, but his hand twitches for where his sword once was, as if on instinct. From the way his eyes widen and his posture tenses, it seems that, if anything, he's afraid.