meadowlark | @tomoe.mikage

It's not that. I'm a youkai, and a god's familiar. Neither of those should be interacting with humans. For the most part, I stay inside my master's shrine.

The last time I had contact with humans was... a little over five centuries ago. Back when I was a wild fox, I used to hunt them, if they were willing to put up a fight.

[this is hands down the most surreal thing she's ever heard and she is absolutely fascinated]

How does a fox become a youkai? And I've never heard of a god having a familiar. How did that happen?

Also yes, five hundred years is a long time. [she says, though it's hardly one tenth of her own life] Have you had a chance to interact with much of the technology in this world yet?

[ considering the reception he's had so far, he'll gladly take interest over dismissal. and she seems willing to understand the vast difference between himself and humans. ]

Fox youkai are rather common. Some become youkai through longevity, but I have always been as such. Simply a demon fox. As for familiars -- in Japan, any kami of deity status ought to have one.

Though, as familiars go, I'm not a typical choice. A traditional shinshi would be a divine beast that was created by the kami, like a white snake or a lion-dog. As far as I know, I'm the only youkai who has ever made such a contract with a god. My master was always regarded as an oddity because of it.

I... haven't had much contact with the technology here yet, no. I'm sure I can learn it quickly enough. [ LYING. ] But it's all very unfamiliar to me.

Edited 2019-10-23 03:28 (UTC)

Why did they choose you, then?

That would be my first suggestion. Technology is very integral to life here, and learning how to use it will help you blend in, if that's your goal.

[trust her she knows]

I'm not sure. I remember... feeling restless, and lost. I suppose he saw it as a kindness to give me some sort of purpose. That, and the fool is terrified of dogs. He took me in to replace the lion-dogs he should have had.

I see. That is a good suggestion, and far easier to manage than trying to wrap my head around mortality. Thank you.

Do you think it was a kindness?

Of course. Let me know if you need help with anything. My name is Diana.

[and she will gently switch to an encrypted message]

Are you certain you're mortal now?

I think it was the whim of a kami. But, Mikage has always been a kind spirit. And he gave me a purpose I lacked. I'm grateful to him.

[ he's not sure why she encrypts the message all of a sudden, but he leaves it be. if she wants privacy, so be it. ]

I'm weaker, but certainly still a youkai. I am not mortal. Which is why I have no clue how to imitate it.

I can't imagine living so long with no clear direction. I'm glad you met each other.

I misunderstood--I thought you meant you were trying to come to terms with being mortal. I'm still not sure how much this place changes people. I'm weaker than I was in my own world as well. I'm just not sure how much weaker yet.

My life as a wild fox wasn't so bad. I miss it, at times. The excitement, the simplicity. My nature was violence, so I was happy. But I take pride in being a shinshi, too.

Yes, it really is a pain, to be caught in between. I feel as though I should test my limits before I end up in a fight. I'm still stronger than a human, but how easily will I bleed? Can I catch illness? Do I need to eat, the way humans do? I'm glad not to be reduced to mortality, but it almost seems as though it would have been simpler.

Yes, having to relearn limits is definitely a trial. It took me a while to figure out how much sleep I need now.

I'm sure after a little while you'll pick it up. Mortal mannerisms aren't too hard to figure out.

Good to know. I know how to look after a human, at least. I suppose I simply need to use that knowledge for myself now.

@tomoe.mikage

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