Kitsunegari (July catch-all)

[detectiveofthewest]

A: After the full moon

Heiji had been lucky to walk away from his run-in with Tal as well as he had -- a werewolf during this particular time of year was even more dangerous than usual. But he was still badly hurting, and he did not yet want to return to the Other Realm, where one of his own kind might see an excellent opportunity to take advantage of his wounds. Nor could he wander the streets as a human slowly bleeding through his clothing.

So instead he limped along quietly in the early hours of the morning in the least energy-intensive form he could. A small black fox, looking for a burrow to hole up in and lick his wounds.

B: You are cordially invited (July 7)

In light of his new title as well as his decision to stay in London for the foreseeable future, Heiji had had a home constructed for himself in Faery -- a little out of the way for his non-fae acquaintances to come visit him, but much less likely to arouse undue interest from any neighbors. It was a Japanese-style house, of course, with a small pond and cherry trees outside the windows.

Now he sat out the steps, sipping at his sake and waiting for company.

C: Fox hunt (Evening in Richmond Park, July 11th-ish)

Hoofbeats sounded in the distance, accompanied by the distant baying of hounds. A flit of red fur through the grass, and then the sounds of the dogs took on a new, excited cast. Panicked and frightened, the young fox ran blindly through the trees. The paths looked the same, the woods were unfamiliar. Meanwhile, the sounds of her pursuit was getting closer...

Heiji ran through the park, looking for any sign, but he'd lost sight of the hunting party. All he had to go on now was the baying of the hounds. There were thousands of foxes in London, and why hadn't she listened to him?

He grimaced as he charged through the grass. "Of all the rotten luck...!"

D: Choose your own adventure :')

Comments

[detectiveofthewest]

He wasn't sure what Mab was suggesting, but it was hard to talk in this form in any case. Heiji disengaged himself and padded off, squeezing through the metal bars of a nearby building's foundation and into the basement underneath.

It was only in the shadows there that he changed into his larger form. His fur blended into the darkness easily, which helped. He didn't like being out in the open. "I'm fine. I know what help would cost me."

[rules_winter]

Through metal bars even. It hadn't burnt him so not iron at least. She stood next to the bars. "Yess." She hissed it out. "To heal you I would need your loyalty."

Her eyes lifted toward the sun already partially risen on the horizon. "To protect you or make you safe would require a favor in return. If not now then sometime down the line." After all, none of the fae were really into charity. "This is our nature. What has lain low a fae knight?"

[detectiveofthewest]

"I don't barter away my loyalty. I'll heal on my own." Wild things recovered quickly; his fae constitution would further help things along. But one thing he couldn't afford was to be beholden to an unknown quantity. Which Mab very much was.

He didn't mind giving her a bit of information, though, so long as she let him be. "A werewolf was on the loose. He had my scent."

[rules_winter]

"I did not believe you would, fox. But it good to remind you. I may be called upon should you find yourself in dire need. Healing is in my purview however it is not something I am free to give without requirements met." Mab was patient. She could wait until someone was desperate. Until she was the last, best choice. She had forever to wait.

Her head turned a little as though looking for said werewolf. Even in human form a wolf could track a scent. His blood dripped down the sidewalk in the direction he had come. "I see. Do you know who it was?" If nothing else it would tell her of whom to be wary.

[detectiveofthewest]

That need would have to be very dire, indeed. Heiji valued his freedom highly; he was loathe to give it up to anyone, let alone Mab. She didn't care for him -- though even if she did, he doubted it would make much difference.

"The attack was sudden. I was incautious."

[rules_winter]

It wasn't to say Mab didn't take care of her own. She did, with a vengeance. But she also didn't really put up with people who would let themselves be weak either. So it was kind of a crapshoot. She took care of those who took care of themselves. Which came out to the same thing in the end, but you got a little power to help along the way. And possibly the most horrible training you could ever endure.

"Yes." She said dryly, "I can see that." Foxes could be remarkably quick. And he was fae, she had no doubt he could hold his own in a fight or he would not have gained as much power as he had. "So you did not identity your attacker?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Whatever, he didn't have to listen to this. Heiji curled up, tucking his muzzle just up above his tail as he returned to his smaller form.

[rules_winter]

His non answer is answer enough. She smiles a little and lifts a shoulder. "Very well. Sulk all you like." He knew how to call her if it came to it, her name was a summoning of it's own. She straightened moved along, continuing on her way to the doorway, letting Heiji heal on his own as he'd made it clear his choice on the matter.