anemoi | (no subject)

*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?*

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[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.]

*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.*

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

You're no ordinary fox, are you?

*The fox pauses, tilting its head curiously.*

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

Can you understand what I'm saying?

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

[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?

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

Behavior such as that will only get you in trouble.

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

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

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

[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.

*Hmm. But... that fried tofu was so delicious. She looks reluctant, glancing over at the trash can.*

...

Would you rather be the hunter or the hunted?

*The fox looks a little dejected. There's a strangely lost look on its face, which wouldn't actually be out of place on a new arrival to Sirocco.*

[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!

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

You won't get away that easily!

[Grand Papillion: Now in hot pursuit!]

...You...don't know which way to go?

*The fox shakes her head. IT seems she is just as much of a newcomer to this place as anybody else.*

*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.*

[Ky scratches his head, and takes a moment to collect his bearings.]

Let's see...which way is east...okay, the sea is in that direction.

[Pointing.]

So as long as you don't head in that direction, you can reach the outskirts.

*The fox watches him, as if taking this all in. She looks in that direction, then back at him, then back at the box. She turns and begins to pad in the direction he pointed to, but still seems hesitant. She looks back at him.*

[Ky watches all this. He's not quite sure what to make of it.]

What is it?

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