The Beast of Storms

It certainly was quite odd to talk to the vixen that had turned into a man. While she could certainly tell that the person was Aiyana, the dramatic change was not easy to become accustomed to. Smiling, the bakedanuki nodded at the kitsune’s words regarding the guild. It really had not changed much. The yokai’s introduction to the guild was none other than being invited to join a group of people for red velvet cake, which was quickly followed by them inviting her to join their team. While none of those people were around anymore, the tanuki could still look back fondly on the memory. Really, many present day introductions were akin to her own so many long years ago.

Soon enough the iced tea and sashimi had arrived to their table in shiny glasses and platters. Before she could consider grabbing the utensils and digging in, however, the fox dropped a series of words on her that caught the tanuki by surprise. Nobody had ever told Izayuki such a thing before, unless they were some stranger attempting to flatter or get on her good side. Typically she could ignore such frivolous words, but when they were from somebody like Aiyana, said in such a way, they were hardly just a mere flirt or simple words. Ears drawn back and tail twitching, the bakedanuki glanced away shyly, not completely certain on how to respond at first. Technically, her humanoid appearance was something she constructed out of her ayakashi abilities, thus she wondered if it really counted. If Aiyana saw her true form, the one besides the small fluffy raccoon dog, would she carry the same opinion? Glancing back up at the fox shyly, the tanuki replied in a mildly shocked ton with a warm smile, followed by a nod in response to Aiyana’s question. “Er… thank you. I’m glad I could accompany you.”

With the dinner fresh in front of them, Izayuki would wait until the kitsune began to eat first, before digging in for herself, fluffy ears alert and face ever so slightly red.