2023.07.03 A Foxy Spar

2023.07.03 A Foxy Spar
Shinju learns more about Akio and shifter things... then decides to test to see how good he really is
IC Date	2023.07.03
IC Time	Night
Players	Shinju, Akio
Location	Shangye Shinsha
Spheres	Mage, Shifter

This time, Shinju is the one at the cleansing area. She's got her kimono's upper part pulled down as she cleans off her arms and shoulders. Full cloth bags next to her signifies she's gone shopping for quite a bit.

Akio arrives, bows at the Tori gate, and then moves deeper within, staying on the left side of the path as he meets with Shinju. "There she is, the Priestess of this shrine." As he closes in he is in just a t-shirt that shows off his tattooed arms with a pair of jeans and those same comfortable black and red sneakers he's worn before. "Did you miss me?" The question is asked with a wide grin as he tries to get a peek into the bags laying nearby.

Shinju glances up, flicking the water off her fingers with a grin. `Yeah. I did. I also found out that I had to buy a pet hair roller to get the pieces of fur off my kimono... someone today damn pointed it out while I was doing shrine things!`

Akio laughs softly and shakes his head. "I wonder if black hair is better than red hair. At least people will think it's just from your dog?" Waiting until she's done with the water he looks around and then pulls her in for a warm, tight hug. "So, now I know you miss me when I'm not around. I like that. It means maybe I should keep coming around."

Shinju pulls back up her kimono to be decent in public before she's subsequently pulled into the hug. She wiggles a bit, grumbling behind her smile. `Yeah yeah big man. Why don't you help me y'know, get these groceries in and into the fridge?` Akio chuckles before replying, "Because I wanted a hug first." A wink of his amber eye follows and then he's collecting the bags and nodding for her to lead the way. "So. What are the plans for today? Any? Or can I squeeze in and steal away your time to hang out with me?"

Shinju leads the way into the Shrine Office, guiding Akio into the back hallway to set the bags down in the kitchen. `Plans were... well, go shopping. Get stuff. Continue the construction of things for the reopening of shrine services. I've made good progress on all that though, ahead of what I thought I could do... guess I have a good night's sleep to thank for that...` she says, pulling the fridge and freezer items out to put in before shoving the roller towards Akio with a wink. `Why don't you start the evening by getting your fur off the couch?`

Akio helps as much as he can with putting things away and then laughs as he's given the roller. "Well, you know you could get one of those plastic slip covers too." Taking the roller without complaint he goes to do just that for her. "It's only fair since it is my mess after all..."

Shinju nods, finishing the groceries before walking back into the room with Akio to see his progress. `That it is... but it's a good mess I s'ppose. I'll definitely add some covers to the list. And hey... maybe I can spin a tale about the foxes here being magical emissaries of the kami, eh? Say there's even a particular silver fox around to excuse any stray pieces of fur.`

Akio makes quick work of the hair on the couch, collecting it up and putting it in the trash to clean off the roller. Handing it back to Shinju as she returns to the room with him he can't help but pull her back into his tattooed arms again. "I'm way cooler than a silver fox. But, I should hang out and chat more with the foxes. Hear about what they know of things, what they've seen and if I can do anything to help them here in this sanctuary."

Shinju grins, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and squeezing. `Really, they're that smart? I knew they were clever but, to be able to tell you things... I -have- noticed they're less scared of me now. Probably the smell. And silver fox is just the name of your color morph... the human name at least. Does this one not look like you?` She mmms, pulling out her phone to show him a picture. `Y'know, just like a fox man instead of a normal one. Heh... imagine you being that small....`

"Well, they're smart enough. I can talk with them... I wonder if I might be able to let you talk with them. I'll have to test..." Trailing off, Akio hugs her tighter, then nuzzles into her neck, and presses a soft kiss followed by a teasing bite against her sensitive flesh. "Yes, but..." With a laugh he backs off and shifts down into his fox form for her, to show off his matching form to the one in the picture. It's a fast shift, the sounds of bone, muscle and sinew shifting hardly registering before he's in that other form.

`Me talking to them? Can you like, teach me fox or...` But then, there's that teasing bite, causing Shinju to close her eyes for s moment... and, soon, she opens them in confusion. `What?` She says aloud at the vanishing of the man... before looking down to see that 'normal' fox on the ground looking up at her. `I... guess I should have expected that. Amy's sake... you're damn adorable!`

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eclipsing-Tempest rolls Dexterity + Primal Urge vs 6 for 5 successes. 1 2 3 4 4 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Eclipsing-Tempest sits in his fox form, looking at Shinju with the same amber-colored eyes he has in all of his forms. There is the soft sound of a minor shift within his throat, and he's talking as best he can through with that muzzle. "I am a doshi, I have magic and tricks you know. I think one could work, but I'll have to see." Trying to ensure he doesn't move much he doesn't want to get more hair everywhere. "If not I could still run with the foxes and talk with them."

Shinju stares, raising a brow a bit as she experiences a fox talking to her like it's a normal thing. But hey, she's seen weirder things. `I'm sorry, I have to just....` she says, suddenly reaching down and picking up the fluffy thing in her arms. She cradles him against her chest, grinning widely. `Oh, this is something... I could stash you in a bag and no one would know! The possibilities....` But, at his mention of the magic and tricks, she hrrrms. `I know... chi flows arounds you strongly in a way I've never seen before. I've been meaning to ask what kind of 'sorcery' you do... it's not gonna be like, the turn me into a fox kind, is it?`

Eclipsing-Tempest doesn't mind at all as he's picked up, light and fluffy in this form he nuzzles into her as she cradles him in her arms. "Yes, I can ride with you almost anywhere in this form. As for magic. Jyu-ho is fox magic and Ju-fu is our paper and rune magic." Speaking of both, he easily lifts up with the mage, crawling a bit higher to lick her neck with his fox tongue in a teasing little kiss. "One of the paper magic spells may be able to do what's needed."

Shinju can't help but giggle as that little snoot reaches up to gove her a lick. `Jyu-ho... jyu-fu. Interesting names.` Then, she squeezes him perhaps a bit too hard... though she's not very -strong-, so it's not bound to hurt him. `Ugh, you're so soft and small and lovable. This should be illegal.` But, she does put him down after a bit of the snuggling. `Well... if you wanna show me this so-called Kitsune magic, go right ahead. I can't say I'm not intrigued....`

Eclipsing-Tempest shifts into his koto form as he's let down to the ground and then shakes his head, "I'll have to take that form more. Come shopping with you and go around town." A wink follows as he finds himself some paper and starts to fold it into the shape of a lantern. "We do some pretty simple things with our magic and some more complex things. For example, I enchant my sword to do horrific damage against foes whenever I go into battle..."

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eclipsing-Tempest rolls Dexterity + Origami vs 5 for 5 successes. 1 2 3 4 4 +5 +7 +9 +9 +9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Shinjunstill isn't used to that form. She turns away, composing herself a bit to watch and listen. `Y-yeah. That would be fun!` Then, watching the paper lantern be folded with absolute precision in record time, her eyes widen. `Wow... you're... much better at that than I am. And I thought I made some pretty damn great origami. When you... wait, sword? You're a swordsman? Okay, one thing at a time... I'll ask you about that after.`

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eclipsing-Tempest rolls Gnosis vs 5 for 4 successes. 2 4 +7 +7 +7 +10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Eclipsing-Tempest loses one Magical Essence Eclipsing-Tempest nods and then chuckles, "Before I left back to Japan I ran with a pack, not of Shen Hengeyokai but of Western Garou shifters. They are fierce warriors but they all were very impressed with my sword work in combat." With the lantern done, he lifts it in his clawed hands, speaks softly in his kitsune tongue, and blows into the paper lantern. Within the paper is a warm, amber glow much like the color of his eyes. "This is an easy form of our magic, but it is something to show." Handing the glowing lamp to her he smiles, the fox muzzle making it a little comical looking.

Shinju tilts her head at the story. `What's a Garou? Besides being a fierce warrior?` Then, at the literal blowing of life into the lantern, Shinju's dark eyes light up with its glow. She takes it carefully, looking over it with a smile. `I don't know how you do that, but... it's damn fine... I like making lanterns too. The purple fires downstairs were my doing. You'll have to help me pound out some more paper crafts for the festival.`

Eclipsing-Tempest looks pleased with her reaction before there is a nod of his fox head. "For sure. Though I don't think I'll be mass producing once like this with my magic fueling the light. But making origami, for sure." One clawed hand reaches for her waist to pull her closer to him as his tails wrap about behind her to wrap her up.

Shinju takes the lantern and carrrefully places it on top of Akio's muzzle, making him look quite comical. `Hold on there tiger... er, fox... you say you're a practiced swordsman... now -that's- speaking my language. You really want to impress me? -Show me.-` She says with a teasing,challenging grin. `I've got practice gear in a box in here... including wooden katana. Up for a -different- kind of spar in the sanctum?`

Eclipsing-Tempest gently collects the paper lantern and then nods. "Sure. Let's play." Holding the lantern in his palm he nods his muzzle in her direction and then asks, "So if I /win/ this sparring match... What do I win?"

Shinju's grin widens. `Good... good.` And, at his quesyion, she hrmmms. `Good question... how bout... a kiss? And if I win... you gotta cook me dinner.`

Eclipsing-Tempest shakes his head, "Just a kiss?" Letting out a growl of a laugh he tries to pull her into his arms, looking like he wants to cradle her in his to carry to the sanctum. "I'll agree but I warn you my cooking may be more of a punishment than a prize."

Shinju nods. `Yes, but the kiss can be anywhere you want...` she says with a wink before running off to another room, bringing back with her two full size wooden katanas. `Even if it's just you boiling noodles, that means more time for me to lounge after a hard day! Just don't underestimate me~`

Eclipsing-Tempest can't help but nod in approval to the bet now. "Very good, it's a bet." Waiting for her to return he looks over the training katana with a nod of approval. "Should I enchant it for our sparring?" It's a gentle tease as he holds the weapon in both hands and takes some practice swings. "Ok. Let's go. Points to win? Each hit is a point or?"

`Sure, each hit is a point... first to 3 hits on the other. And what are ya trying to do, kill me? No blade enchantin'... now come on.` She says, quickly rushing down to the basement in excitement.

Eclipsing-Tempest rushes on down with Shinju and then stretches out a bit with that practice sword in hand. He walks about the space, pacing it out while they prep to practice as if getting a feel for it. In this form he seems the most comfortable, it's his birth form so it's more or less that true form for him. "Ok, sounds good. It's all in fun anyways... though I love this idea of kissing you anywhere I want..."

Shinju loses one Willpower. <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Shinju rolls Arete(3) (3 dice) vs 3 for 1 successes. 1 +6 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Once they're on a nice clear area of the tatami mats, the great pearl overlooking them, Shinju readies her blade carefully. `Oh... using that form, eh? Good, good... it'll make iteven more sweet when I beat your ass~`. The expression in her eyes seems to shift... the smile on her face growing more toothy. Oh yeah, she's -serious- about this. Right before they begin, she twirls the blunt blade around with practiced choreography, a flash of gold coming over her exposedflesh as the dragon tattoo over her slithers. `COME GET SOME FOXY!`

Eclipsing-Tempest stands at the ready and then when it's time to begin he steps in with a quick diagonal downward slash that drives him forward while leading to a quick follow up slash with his sword, moving faster than most normal swordsman could strike as he tries to press for an early advantage with those fast strikes of the practice sword.

Shinju smiles as Akio quickly demonstrates his skill... but she isn't surpised at all. Despite him moving so quickly with that downward slash, her sword arm comes up and deftly knocks it away. The more clumsy follow up attack is easily brushed aside with another quick parry as Shinju's eyes flash with a -devilish- glee.

Eclipsing-Tempest grins at Shinju as she parries his strikes and when the pair clash again, he tries to disarm her sword from her grip, working the wooden blade against hers to try to work and knock the blade from her grasp. "I wish I would have known you were here to spar with from long ago... I could have improved." Growling those words out he works the sword vs sword.

As the two come into a sword-to-sword clash, Shinju laughs dramatically at his words. `You speak true, Eclisping-Tempest... I would have learned so much faster with you here!` But, at that, Shinju twirls her sword in a manner that completely breaks free of the lock he's put them in, readying for the next volley.

Eclipsing-Tempest laughs as they break apart, that parry blocking his disarm and him giving a teasing waggle of his dark brows. Without much warning he spins and sweeps with his wooden practice sword in an attempt to trip Shinju.

Sseming to seizw the opportunity, Shinju pushes herself to the human limits... going for a quick double slash while Akio fumbles. The blows barely have any force behind them, whether she means to or not, but both make impact with his body. Two points! `GOTCHA!`

Eclipsing-Tempest can't help but laugh as he's thwarted in his sweep and then takes two quick taps from the practice sword. "Well done!" Falling back he doesn't even really give Shinju a chance to reset before he's attacking, striking and catching the parry before dropping the blade tip low and trying to knock the blade from her hand.

Shinju grits her teeth, losing a bit of her extreme focus after so much exertion. Ahe parries his first blow with room to spare, but the speed of his second attack throws her off guard. The sheer force he exerts with it is far too much for her hands to bear... and thus her sword goes flying away into one of the sanctum's cardinal crevasses, leaving her unarmed. `Wh-FUCK!` She exclaims, but she doesn't look resdy to give up just yet....

Eclipsing-Tempest continues the fight and when she comes in for the strikes he tries to parry, moving quickly and nearly tapping her fists each time but still catching the blows. Both hits, but one a bit more fully than the other. Laughing as he loses he calls out, "Ok break! You win. I'll cook you the worst meal you ever had!" Tossing his sword over to where hers fell he tries to pull her into a hug. "Good spar."

Shinju loses one willpower. <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Shinju rolls Arete(3) (3 dice) vs 3 for 1 successes. 1 +5 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Shinju rushes forwards with the skill of a practiced martial artist... seems swordplay isn't her only skill! -Somehow- avoiding the parry attemps from a weapon, her fists slip in deftly for a 1-2 into Akio's chest. She then calls out as he does. `GOTCHAAAA! I am SO looking forwards to that-` But then, when he goes for the hug... he somehow stumbles -again-, arms completely missing over the smaller woman's head, causing Akio to stumble past her. Her eyes widen, and she quickly does a... bowing motion, another flash of her dragon tattoo's movements going over her skin. `Man... you sure are clumsy after that, aren'tcha? Let's try that again!` Then, -she- rushes forwards, arapping her arms around his shirted fuzzy torso without issue. `You were amazing~`

Eclipsing-Tempest is starting to get a little suspicious of the outcomes of those strikes missing and more so that stumble when going for the hug. All of that is forgotten it seems when he wraps her up in that hug she gives him. Smiling he says softly near her ear, "You were amazing, we need to spar more... Both get better and better and have fun at the same time."

Shinju pushes up onto her tippy toes to be a bit less short in comparison to the fox man. `Well, you didn't win, but you fought so well that I'll give you a consolation prize... you dont' get to pick the place, but here~` And then, Shinju reaches her arms up to grab his fluffy cheeks, bringing his muzzle down and placing a kiss on his sensitive nose. `But you're right... never thought I'd see a swordsman that could come anywhere close to matching me in this modern era where people seem to have forgotten alll the good shit....`

Eclipsing-Tempest laps her lips with his tongue after that kiss to his nose. "You are very good. An excellent swordsman too." Nuzzling into her neck, he adds softly, "Instead of cooking I could take you out for food... Something fun, or something easy cooked for you." Speaking softly he tries to hold on to her a little longer as they talk.

`Hey, I just said you had to make me dinner... if that means ordering something and then 'making' it look pretty and served to me, that counts. Allll about being clever, eh?` She says with a wink, leaning on him as they walk back through the beautiful, magic-filled sanctum.

Eclipsing-Tempest laughs softly as he wraps an arm about her to lead the way back out from the sanctum. "Very good. I'll get sushi... Something good." Turning to nuzzle into her neck he then adds, "I'll make it looook fancy."

Once the couple are back up to the Shrine Office lounge area, Shinju, thinking ahead this time, grabs a large sheet and throws it over the couch. Making sure the door is locked, she then flops unceremoniously on the couch and kicks her legs up on the table, crossing them in an exaggerated pose of relaxation. `Ahhhh... the winner's prize! So sweet~`

Eclipsing-Tempest finds his phone and orders them food, the modern era too easy for this kind of thing. Adding instructions to bring the order to the office in the shrine, to knock and leave the food, he pays all through the app then puts it back aside where he left it here in the office. Pulling his t-shirt off he moves to settle in with her on the couch, one arm wrapping about her shoulders as he pulls her in closer to his side.

`Ahhh one of the -good- things about the modern era, eh? Ordering food while you get more time to chill.` Shinju says, leaning forwards to pull a thin laptop off the table and open it in her lap. `So... besides swordplay and... what, courtly animal person affairs... what do you like to do in your spare time? Got anything you like to watch?`

Eclipsing-Tempest nods and then looks from Shinju to her laptop. Shaking his fox head a bit he says softly, "I do a lot of practice, a lot of work with my kind, my court, all of that. Mmmmm, then I make time now to come see you. Outside of that I don't really watch anything but I'm into the idea of watching what you like. What's on the list?" Looking from her to the laptop he nods in its direction.

`Really? Well, I guess that makes since. You being a big special 'Shinju' and all. I'm glad you're taking the time to come out more, though... you clearly need it!` She says with a wink, pulling up a pirating service on her laptop to browse new releases (yeah, old habits die hard). `Most western media is... bad. I like a few action movies, some horror on occasion, but mostly anime. The good kind, not the fanservice giant-boob-12-year-old-looking-women kind they started to make for horny white boys.`

Eclipsing-Tempest laughs softly hearing her say what she likes and doesn't like. "Nothing wrong with boobs." Looking back, he kisses her cheek, a lap of his tongue following as he adds, "Whatever you want to watch. I'll be into it I'm sure."

Shinju sighs. `No, not when they're -natural-. But they're not meant to look like damn balloons... especially on women that don't even look big enough to drive!` Then, she browses for a bit before picking something and putting it on. `This one's cute...` she mmms, setting the screen on the coffee table. The main character seems to be a small, cute... spider? Mostly feral spider with a bit of human features, seemingly in a real video-game like world as she goes around trying to 'level up'.

Eclipsing-Tempest nods in understanding to Shinju's point as he pulls her tighter into his side. Watching with his head turned slightly toward the screen he nuzzles gently into her neck where he bit her before, gently breathing her in through his nose and trailing soft, lapping kisses of his tongue over her flesh.

Shinju wraps an arm around the back of his head, letting out a purrring noise at the licks. `Hey now, I like the love, but you're not thinkin' about biting me there -again-, are ya?`

Eclipsing-Tempest growls softly, teasing her like he will bite her again, and then shakes his head. "No, I need to bite your thigh or something that's more embarrassing to have Xiu come to heal." More of those soft kisses and laps of his tongue trail over her neck and to her throat. One clawed hand drops to start slipping her kimono open and off her shoulders as his tongue and lips move over her flesh.

Shinju continues to lean into the licks, even if she grumbles some at that. `Now, I don't mind some... love marks... but those teeth of yours are magical. Leave somethin even Xiu had to focus to heal. So... stick with your claws until we figure out a way around that, hm?~` She brings a hand over to scritch through the short fur of his chest. `Aaand I still have dinner coming... you're lucky my stomach isn't grumbling yet.`

Eclipsing-Tempest laughs softly as he feels that scritch and then jokes, "They'll leave it at the door and then we can eat sushi off your body..." He's teasing, it's her prize so he would never take any of the specialness from it. "I'd say off mine but then it'd get hair in it..." Trailing off its just then that food arrives, the delivery guy knocking and leaving the bags like he promised. Making sure to keep the veil, Akio shifts back into his human form to get the food. With his shirt off in this form, the tattoos clearly cover most of his upper body. Going to the kitchen he plates up the various sushi rolls, regular sushi and the rest. Bringing it all out he puts it on the table for her.

Shinju hums softly as Akio goes to get the delivery, then prepares it as was her prize. She gives him a big grin. `Bravo! Wonderful. But uh... the sushi off the body thing sounds like somethin that would be a good prize for sparring, no doesn't it? Besides, I'm FAR too hungry for that right now... that fight kicked ass.` Just as she says, she doesn't take long before she starts absolutely -devouring- that sushi. Pulling the plate up to her mouth and throwing it in there with the chopsticks. Quite the eater for her size!

Eclipsing-Tempest is polite and doesn't shift back into his other form to make sure none of his hair gets in the food. He doesn't eat either, instead, he watches Shinju with a widening smile as she shovels the food into her mouth. "That fight really got you hungry, niice."

Shinju takes a minute to pause, and even then, only for a moment. `Yeah... more than just that, though. You've seenhow exerted I've been considering you've have to deal with my tense self using you as a bed twice now. Mom always said I was a restless sleeper....`

"I don't mind it. I like you sleeping on me." A laugh from the kitsune follows as he nods his head and then motions to the food. "I hope that's good, it's from a place that kids good reviews." Still watching he can't help but smile as she eats and pauses to talk.

`Yeah. It's good. Though I ate utter garbage for a loong while so maybe I'm not the best one to judge that kinda thing.` She says, finishing gobbling down the rest of the plate. And, when she's finished, she lets out a long breath... flipping herself around such that her legs hang over one end of the couch and her head comes to rest in Akio's lap. `I'm about ready to pass out after a meal like that. What about you?`

Eclipsing-Tempest nods and then says softly, "Mmmmhmm, you want to sleep on me again?" The way it's asked makes it seem like he's hoping for a yes to that question. Shifting easily back into his koto form he gently scritches her scalp, careful to make sure not to break her skin. "I like have you all wrapped up in my arms and tails."

`You're huge, warm, soft, fluffy, -and- come with a built in blanket device. You're like, the best parts of a plushie made bigger and better.` The priestess muses, closing her eyes and enjoying the head scritches greatly. `...so yeah. Damn right I want to. Mmmm....`

Eclipsing-Tempest gets laid out, pulling her on to his chest so he can then wrap his tails around her. Holding her tight in his arms he says softly to her. "There, then rest easy. You fought very well today, earned your prize." Nuzzling into her brow as he talks he tightens that hold on her adding, "Rest well."