狐

[koraava]

He was so cute; she couldn’t help but tease now. “Oh really? I don’t know, I’ve pet some pretty soft fur in my time…” She grinned, that mischievous look in her eyes more obvious than ever. The little shoulder bump just earned him a small laugh as she reached out to gently rub behind his left ear.

Well, consider her pleasantly surprised. His fur was silky beneath her fingertips and she couldn’t lie, perhaps it really was the softest she had ever pet. Naga’s fur was rather course and thick—it had to be, considering she lived in the South Pole. The spirits weren’t exactly… furry and when she had met Black Rabbit at the flower festival a few weeks ago, her ears were nice to the touch but…

“Okay, you weren’t lying… it really is soft.” It wasn’t just that, it was almost comforting. She almost didn’t want him to move away. Perhaps he wouldn’t. She’d just have to see, and hope. “Have you been in the city long?”

[bestgroomer]

Oho! Was that a challenge? If it was, it would be one that he would gladly accept. With how much care he put into it each day, Kaden was sure there would be no challenge. “Heheheh.. We’ll see then!” And... Yes! Score. Kaden’s tail swayed in content as Korra rubbed his ear. 

“I told you!” 

Of course he wouldn’t move away. If anything, he nuzzled against her hand eagerly. “Huh?-- Oh.. Not too long. It’s still a little strange to me.” But perks like this made the weird things worth it, he supposed.

“How long have you been here? Has this place been kind to you?”

[ingoldentent]

“You’ll have to wait until the scientists decide to bring him to Hive City, unfortunately. But yeah, I can see you’d make great competition! Lions vs. foxes, the cute battle of the century!!” Since Kaden is amping it, Battler is simply going alone with the ride. To think that he’d get this agitated over such a trivial thing!

Battler isn’t that mischievous, truth be told. If Kaden wants to see a true trolling master in action, he’ll have to meet his wife. And she is in Hive City, so that’d be possible!

“Already thinking about the next time? But we haven’t even finished this one yet!” As he speaks, Battler finishes eating his first crepe. Now it’s time for him to ask his second one. And surprisingly enough, he might actually be able of eating three of these. Chatting in a friendly manner like this opens his appetite like nothing else.

[bestgroomer]

“The scientists have to decide who to bring...?” Well, that made sense. After all, it wasn’t his choice to be here either. Which got him thinking... “Then.. Wouldn’t it be bad if we wanted him to come here too? I mean-- Lions could never be as cute as a fox but!.. Alright. There’s definitely no comparing. So remember that! ” 

It was a little worrying. This whole scientist kidnapping thing. 

But.

This food was his focus! “Of course! But I’d also like to try a lot of new things too!” He finished his first crepe with an appreciative mumble. The second? It was just as delicious! Maybe even more so.. Which was why he wanted to try this again!

“Delicious! What do you think? Wanna come back again sometime? What should we do now?”

[ingoldentent]

“Ihihihihi, surely not! Although you have very good competition with Sakutarou, in my opinion. Can you look as cute as him?” Of course, it’s unlikely that Kaden would have any idea of who that is but some light teasing shouldn’t hurt the kitsune, right?

Oh, so this guy is gonna play the ‘eat your friends’ food’ game, huuuh? Two can play that! While Kaden munches his bite, Battler swiftly advances to take a bit of his crepe. He has a naughty grin as he tastes it.

“Ummmm, send my regards to the chef! He can make any flavor taste good, yum yum!!”

[bestgroomer]

“Competition?-- I’d like to meet this Sakutarou! You’ll just have to see us side by side, right?” He insisted on this! His tail seemed to flick side to side in a defensive manner. Apparently the kitsune was taking the teasing very seriously! “ You’ll see that I’m cuter and my fur is much more beautiful!”

The tail swish came to a halt when the other took a daring bite at his crepe in turn. “Hey! How sneaky of you--!” Truthfully, Kaden was having fun! Battler was kind and might be just as mischievous as another kitsune-- Ah, that made him feel a little lonely.

“Yeah, yeah! The chef definitely deserves praise for these.. They’re yummy and filling!” 

“We should come here again!” 

[koraava]

Well wasn’t he just the cutest? She already felt her mood increase just a little. She didn’t mind his company… in fact she was glad for it. It would be nice to talk to someone, after all.

“How come I seem interesting?” She asked, turning her attention back to him. If anything, he was the interesting one. She had never met anyone quite like him before. “You’re the one that’s interesting,” She said, turning slightly in order to face him. Her gaze moved upward to those ears of his once again. “I’ve never met anyone like you before… this is gonna sound really dumb but… they’re real, right?”

She couldn’t help herself; true, she was used to the spirits back home but none of them looked like him. She’d always been naturally curious anyway.

“Nice to meet you too, Kaden. I’m Korra.”

[bestgroomer]

Now if he only knew he may have been the reason for her mood increase. It may have been good for his ego! Not that it mattered. But it would have made him happy either way. Especially if he really knew that she might have been down before their encounter.

“Huh?.. I dunno.” It was true enough. She smelled of the Earth.. As well as the other elements? That may have been where he was confused.. But! He bumped his head against her shoulder at the question-- Which? To see if his ears were real! “Of course they are! Here.. You can pet them as much as you like! My fur is the softest, I promise.. It’s nice to meet you too, Korra!”

[ingoldentent]

“Well, one only needs to look at your clothing…” Battler pointed out. “Not many people who dress as if they were still in the Middle Ages are familiar with modern day stuff.” Not that he’s up to date himself, but he figures that catching up from the 80’s is far easier than from the Middle Age.

“As if those weren’t synonyms, but okay, okay. Sorry, crepe-chan, I promise that I’ll be kind handling you.” He gently caresses the treat as a sign of civilization before the kitsune. He’s right, they can’t act like savage beasts now!

He takes his first bite at the crepe and hums in delight. “Uuuum, twis wis dwlicwious!! Kwadwn, twake a bwte two!”

[bestgroomer]

“My clothing--?” Well. Battler wasn’t wrong. “Ah! And I suppose people don’t normally see ears like mine either, right? Or a tail with such well groomed fur!” He really must be an eye catching person! It was besides the point but with his appearance in mind, Kaden seemed to puff up proudly. 

Battler was a pretty funny guy. He even apologized to the crepe! The other’s actions made the kitsune laugh. His tail wagged behind him slightly as he watched the other take the first bite. “Ahh! Is it really? Lemme try!” So he may have taken Battler’s muffled words all too literal. He leaned over and took a bite off the end of the other’s crepe. 

“Mm..! Yum! I’m sure mine’s good too.” 

And.. A bite of his own too. 

“Hey! I was right!”

[ingoldentent]

Battler could feel his stomach rumble from the smell alone, miraculously. Okay, he might be able of surviving this without his stomach exploding. Maybe. It’ll depend on how delicious these crepes end up being.

“Not used to this kind of modern city setting? Yeah, I’d probably be confused were I at the same situation.” Just because that’s not where he lives anymore doesn’t mean he suddenly forgot how to live in a city.

“You say that as if we aren’t already friends!” Battler smiles brightly at the kitsune. “You and I, the crepe destroying duo of Hive City! Can you think of any better dynamic?”

[bestgroomer]

“Is it easy to tell?” It must have been very obvious. Kaden was spooked by cars and the sounds around him. But people were still people and he was still quite curious! He helped where he could and explored when he was feeling brave enough. The city was really big! “I hope I get used to it-- But some of this? I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it!” 

His full attention was on the first crepes they ordered when they were ready. Even before they were offered to them, Kaden was ready to reach over to take his! But he waited patiently and took his first crepe when he was allowed. 

“Oh! Really?!”

With food in hand and an assured friend in this city, the kitsune beamed. “Crepe destroying duo of Hive City-- That sounds amazing!” They even had a cool nickname! 

“I can’t think of a better dynamic! Not at all! It’s great.. Ahh.. But I hope we’re going to eat the crepes.. Not destroy them. Yeah?”

[sukijanai-blog]

Did she need a hand? Natsuki looked down at the snacks in her arms– they’d been grabbed out of the fridge before any potential roommates had anything to say about it; after all, she did mean to get a better look at this place that was, in fact, for real, and not having to worry about feeding herself in her looking around would allow her to not have to return to the apartment at every other odd hour.

Isn’t he just trying to take some for himself? She was skeptical and it reflected in her raised eyebrow and cynical grin– the fluffy ears popping out of his hair only add to the cunning feel of his intentions. Although his request to hang out sounds sincere enough… “… Sure. We can hang out, but I didn’t bring enough of these for you. You can have one if you can lead me out of this crowd, though! –But not the chocolate ones.”

[bestgroomer]

Foxes were mischievous and cunning in stories, weren’t they? This was no story, however! It was certainly a strange and suspicious city but the kitsune really only had good intentions in mind. Where he would travel far and wide to return a favor, he might not expect a favor to be returned either. If anything, her company would suffice!--

But she did make an offer he wouldn’t refuse so easily.

“Aha! You sure? I’ll lead you out of here in no time, alright? So I hope you’re not playing a trick...!” 

His tail wagged behind him and he looked around quickly. The quickest route..? The scary back alleys, perhaps! He almost started in that direction before he thought of his companion. Now.. While he could dash away if things got a little too scary.. She might not be able to! Especially while she was carrying her snacks. “Alright.. Um. This way!” So he motioned for her to follow, weaving through the crowds. 

“Can you keep up?~” 

[koraava]

Well, he was the kind of person she hadn’t seen before.

Of course she had a few non-human friends and tense times in the city meant she had to be on guard but he seemed nice enough… Korra tilted her head slightly at the confrontation, not knowing what prompted him to come and talk to her. All she was doing was sitting on a park bench trying to collect her thoughts.

Still that didn’t mean she didn’t welcome the company. “Hi?” She greeted with some hesitance. Her eyes were instantly drawn to his ears and she couldn’t help but ask. “Cat?” No… she could see a tail…

She leaned to the side and caught a glimpse of it. It was far too bushy to be that of a cat and besides, she saw the distinctive pattern. “No, fox right?” She grinned. Ah, his question. “Oh, I’m okay.” She lied. “How ‘bout you?”

[bestgroomer]

“Cat--?” 

His tail flicked from side to side as if to try show it off. Cats were pretty but he was beautiful, wasn’t he? It must have been a silly mistake. But he waited excitedly for her to realize! “Yes! That’s correct. Good job!” Kaden smiled big before taking a seat next to her on the park bench. Was he welcome to? Who knows! It was too late to ask questions. 

He tilted his head to the side at the answer he got to his initial question. That.. Didn’t seem right. But he felt that prying might be rude if he were to do it after meeting. And she was smiling so that was a good sign, right? “Um.. I’m great! You seemed kinda interesting so I wanted to say hello...” Yet, he still couldn’t place why she seemed interesting. Without realizing, Kaden had even leaned in closer to examine her.. He sniffed the air around her again before sitting back.

“You.. Really do seem interesting. I just can’t put my finger on why!” 

“I’m Kaden, by the way.. It’s nice to meet you?”

[vallight-blog]

“I would think quite the opposite, actually,”

“From my understanding, Father’s Day is to celebrate fatherhood. You can take all the naps you’d like, Kaden.”

[bestgroomer]

“Oh-- Hiya, Azura! I didn’t know you were here.. It’s nice to see you!”

Taking all the naps he wants to is now on his list of things to do.  

“But that sounds really great! Celebrating fatherhood? So I would get something nice for my father maybe? Do you know how people here celebrate Father’s Day? I’d really like to know! I’m curious.” 

[bestgroomer]

@latrocinari

Kaden jumped--

It may have been a funny sight to see. A very large fox leaping in surprise. It wasn’t as though he recognized this one but he was startled so suddenly! “A-Ah! Hey now!” It took him a moment to settle again and he sat to groom his fur.. Fixing it apparently came before properly greeting this person.

“Sorry! I didn’t see you there.” 

[bestgroomer]

“Father’s Day?” 

“What does that mean? Do dads get longer naps? Oh--! Oh! What about a belly rub?” 

[bestgroomer]

@avatarxs

She smelled of the elements.. It might have been a strange thought but the scent was distinct compared to other humans. It made him curious! He wanted to know more about her. 

“Hey!”

Now. What should he say from there?  

“How... Are you?”

Nailed it.

[bestgroomer]

@sukijanai​

“Hey! Need a hand? The streets are a little busy so I can accompany you for the time being!”

The task itself wasn’t exactly necessary but it seemed like a good thing to offer at least. It was crowded around this time so he reckoned it would be harder for someone to make their way around.. Especially if they were alone! Sure, it was still a little spooky for Kaden at times. Cars were still enough to make the fur on his tail bristle and his ears to pop right up in surprise. So the company of another might be a little therapeutic for him as well.

“What do you say? Wanna hang out?”

[bestgroomer]

@patisscrie

“Hey! Would you mind helping me for a second?-- I’ll repay you, I promise!” His tail swished from side to side as he waved the girl over... It would only be once she was close enough that she would notice a child ducked behind the kitsune. “See, this kid here-- He lost something. A balloon, I think..? Wanna help me find it? Oh! And his mom too!” 

“I’ll seriously owe you if you help us out!” 

[bestgroomer]

heya! like this for a starter call for kaden

they’ll vary in lengths!! and this is uncapped for now

[ingoldentent]

Hey, relax, buddy, you don’t need to worry about survival in Hive City. Eat to your heart’s content!

“Isn’t it? Okay then, oji-san, you heard us. One chicken and catupiry and one chicken and mushroom crepes, fill them!”

Oh, that’s right. He’ll end up paying for three crepes. His stomach won’t be the only thing hurting by the end of this… But! It should be worth it, right?

“You’re welcome, Kaden. Haaaah, for such a urban and huge place, Hive City seems to be a good place to make friends. Don’t you think so?”

[bestgroomer]

It would definitely be worth it! 

Kaden’s tail was swaying from side to side as he watched the stall owner create the crepes they ordered. It was incredible.. And quick! They’d have their meals in no time and they smelled delicious too. His ear flicked back to Battler when the other spoke again and he peeked back at him with some interest.

“Hm? Ah! Yeah, I think so--” 

“It’s just really.. Different than the world I know. I don’t understand a lot of things..” Like cars. “But making friends here seems fun! Do you think we could be friends?”

[ryusoken]

          ❝ Yeah, they’re nice. ❞ Like nothing he’s ever seen before, no zoan fruit back home that he knew of could do something like…this. It was the real deal, a real fox man or whatever they were called. He can’t deny that he’s intrigued the more he touches the ears. They were soft and the way how they nudged against his hand was very…what was the word? Cute.

          ❝ What are you anyway? A fox man? Something like that. ❞ It’s not like it really makes a difference, but it’d be nice to know the official name so he wouldn’t sound rude calling him something else. And he should probably stop petting his ears, but they’re just so soft.

          Reluctantly, he lets his hands down. ❝ And you know…it’s probably not a good idea to let strangers pet your ears, for future reference. ❞

[bestgroomer]

The gesture was pretty comforting. This man was practically a stranger but he sure did a good job where it seemed to matter! “Huh...? Oh! I’m a kitsune! And you’re a human--” The remark probably wasn’t necessary. Heck, he wasn’t even sure that it was correct! For all he knew, this person could be in some kind of disguise. 

Of course, he didn’t realize how strange it was to ask to be pet like that. Not until it was pointed out.. And once it was, he ran his own hands over his ears and gave Sabo an uneasy look.  

“... Did you do something weird to my fur..? Is that why you’re saying that all of a sudden?” 

Really, he still had a lot to learn.