(no subject)

[faithful_kitsune]

*There's been an increasing number of complaints from various members of the business community in Sirocco of late. It seems to be mostly from the grocers; reports of petty theft have suddenly shot up around the community. At first, it was thought to be human burglers, but the discovery of a few gnawed through packages have shifted that thinking; clearly, a wild animal is on the loose in Sirocco, causing problems.

Now, perhaps you were actively looking for the creature. Or perhaps it was on accident. But at some point, you spot something odd in a box in an alley -- what looks like a very, very large fox, sleeping. Strangely, the fox seems to have kept the area around it fairly meticulous; the only dead giveaway this may be the culprit is the presence of a few empty packages of fried tofu neatly disposed of in the garbage next to the fox.

There's something vaguely unnatural about the creature; it's too big for a normal fox, for one, and there are strange fur patches that look almost like seals. More importantly, however, there are way, way, WAY more tails on that creature than there should be. Say, nine of them.

The fox suddenly starts, detecting your presence, and shifts into a defensive posture, baring teeth. What do you do?*

Comments

[ridethelightning]

[What does Ky do when he runs into the creature? He assumes his own defensive stance. He's not sure whether the animal is going to attack or not, so he's taking precautions in case it does.]

[faithful_kitsune]

*The creature growls a bit, but doesn't move. It begins to slowly move out of the box; only then can the full magnificencve of its tail count be properly grasped. It looks ready to bolt at a moment's notice.*

[ridethelightning]

[Ky narrows his eyes, but doesn't drop his guard. Just how many tails does it have?]

You're no ordinary fox, are you?

[faithful_kitsune]

*The fox pauses, tilting its head curiously.*

[ridethelightning]

[Ky wasn't expecting that kind of a response. Far from it, in fact.]

Can you understand what I'm saying?

[faithful_kitsune]

*It seems to be deciding something, then nods its head slowly.*

[ridethelightning]

[Ky would normally wonder why he's talking to a nine-tailed fox like this, but after the salamanders...]

...Then...have you been the one taking food from shops in the area?

[faithful_kitsune]

*She looks defensive again, almost as if to say, "What about it?" She looks ready to bolt again.*

[ridethelightning]

Behavior such as that will only get you in trouble.

[faithful_kitsune]

*A snort, as if to ask, "Well, what else do you expect me to do, human?"*

[ridethelightning]

There are other ways to get food. The outskirts of the city aren't dangerous.

[faithful_kitsune]

*She tilts her head. Outskirts? There are outskirts to this strange stone jungle?*

[ridethelightning]

[Ky tries to analyze the fox's body language. Is that confusion?]

The sea is to the east, but travel in any other direction and you'll reach the end of the city and the beginning of the wilderness. You'll find plenty of prey there.

[stinglikeabat]

[He may not be the brightest crayon in the shed, but he's more than willing to leap to a (correct, as it happens) conclusion on the basis of the available evidence.]

So you're the thief!

[faithful_kitsune]

*She bolts at his exclamation. Nope, not sticking around for this one.*

[stinglikeabat]

You won't get away that easily!

[Grand Papillion: Now in hot pursuit!]

[faithful_kitsune]

*She's a fast little bugger and no mistake; must be all those tails. She seems to be heading towards the waterfront in her haste.*

[stinglikeabat]

[She's pretty darned fast indeed! He comes close to losing her a few times, but fortunately she is also pretty easy to spot, even from a distance. Must be all those tails.]

[faithful_kitsune]

*Every which way but up. Well, okay, up a few times, but either way it's a merry chase. At length, though, he seems to have her backed in a corner. She bends down, growling, and very defensive. A last stand?*

[stinglikeabat]

So, you're ready to fight?

[He picks up a life-sized tacky mascot figure which was conveniently right there in the trash behind an ersatz version of a well-known fast food restaurant. The years have not been kind to R***ld Wc***ald. He's missing one arm and the splendor of his brightly colored clown hairdo is a faded shadow of its former vibrance. Nevertheless, his plastic smile hints at a grim determination within.]

Then come on!

[faithful_kitsune]

*The fox pauses for a moment. Then growls. Tenses. And leaps...

...PAST Joachim, and latches onto the arm of that REALLY NASTY CRAB CREATURE THAT WAS COMING UP BEHIND HIM WHAT THE HELL IS THAT.

She can't get a good latch on it, and ends up getting flung off, but points for effort.*

[stinglikeabat]

[Did it just... save his life? Well he can deal with that later. Or multitask! Now is the time for action and prodding back hideous mutant crabs with makeshift clubs.]

It seems as if I have misjudged you, stranger!

[faithful_kitsune]

*Said crab thing is rather irate at the invaders to its turf, both the weird big thing and the stupid little dog thing. It snaps its claws a bit at the fox, who has enough wits still to dance away while still recovering from the stunning dismount, before attempting to headbutt the crap out of Joachim.*

[stinglikeabat]

[Joachim counters by trying to headbutt it first. CLONK. He's... going to be disoriented for the next few heartbeats.]

[faithful_kitsune]

*The crab monster wasn't expecting that, and reels backwards a bit itself from the force of two heads colliding. The fox notes the opening in its shell, thinks of crabs, and springs towards it, swiping with a claw. The creature screeches at the contact, and claws at her; she darts away, but barely, sustaining a slight scratch to her side before she can fully get away. She prepares to leap again.*