estoria | ( OPEN )

... a harpoon?! But I don't want to hurt Fishy. Hotarumaru would be upset if he came back and found his pet was hurt.

[ It's true. Hotarumaru was the one who initially brought the alien fish to Swordhaus, but he disappeared a short time after. This left Kogitsunemaru to pick up the slack and carry on the torch! ]

A blanket would be wise. Perhaps if I cover its eyes, it will think it is night and will fall asleep.

[ He smiles cheerily, though it fades as he hums with a thought. ]

Do fish sleep, Koumei?

[A flat look. If Koumei had access to his research facilities, then the relative life of this Fishy would be a moot point. He could retrieve a talisman to prevent it's body from decaying and allow it to continue moving-- an undead Fishy, so to speak.]

While it's true that I understand a great many things, I can't say that I know much about fish biology. Especially if it's a fish that was born in an unknown place.

The only way we may learn is through application-- shall we?

... are you sure? It could get very dangerous. Not as much as recent events may have been, but it is a very strong fish. A very scary fish. You saw its face!

[ Ugh, that'd be desecrating the OBVIOUSLY pure and healthy body of the alien fish pet! Also, would he have to change Fishy's name to Frankenfishy? ]

But if you insist, open the door whenever you are ready. I will go in and try to knock it out.

[ With his fist or the hilt of his sword, but he's not going to kill Fishy. No. Not yet, anyway. ]

[There was nothing wrong with Fishy's continued survival, if that were the case-- many in his country would consider it an honor. But, for better or for worse, the option for FrankenFishy was not available to them-- they had to work on mundane measures.

Emerging a few moments later with a thick and sturdy comforter he had pulled from the linen closet, he knocked on the door once again.]

You're right, that is a frightening fish. You may be wanting this...

Hm! I see, I see... do you think if Fishy takes a nap, it'll be happier going back into the tank? Is this what the blanket is for?

[ For a second, Kogitsune stares at Koumei with some confusion before the wheels start to turn and the 'light bulb' visibly turns on. ]

Oh! Wait, should I smother it or use this to carry it? Hm. That's not a bad idea, I suppose I can try that.

[ Taking the comforter, Kogi looks prepared to do battle with Fishy. <>It's go time. And he goes, with purpose and intent on his face! He's going to do it, he's going to get this job done so no one loses a limb (or a blade, which is obviously way worse)!

Loud noises, crashes, frustrated screams, and growls follow before moments later, Kogi bursts back through the door and back into the hallway, no fish or tank in arms. ]

... do you have another one of those things on hand, Koumei? Fishy ate it...

[...

What?

Koumei isn't certain that he wants to know exactly what went down in that bathroom, but he knew that it couldn't be normal.]

Eeehh? ...That can't be healthy for Fishy!

[Because, clearly, that was the most important thing that had happened here.]

Wait a moment, [he spoke up, suddenly.] Aren't you worried about him suffocating? Fish are supposed to live in the water. How is he still conscious?

To be honest, Fishy seems to eat most things and not be affected. It must be due its unusual origins! Though, its original owner has disappeared.

[ And before Koumei can even think about the most heinous of possibilities: ]

No. It did not eat him. He disappeared, taken by the network.

[ Kogi shrugs, tilting his head and looking up at the ceiling before looking at the ground. ] I do not know. But it is interesting how it can survive without needing water... perhaps it has been lying to us this entire time? Can a fish lie, Koumei?

[ Who even has these answers? Either way, Fishy doesn't like being ignored again and shows its displeasure by slamming the door and causing it to shake. ]

I don't speak Fish, unfortunately. [As if it were a language to be understood.

--And he visibly jumped when Fishy slammed against the door, rattling the wood against the hinges and frame in a way that made it seem like it would fall apart.]

...Mister Kogi, is it wise to leave him in there alone?

No, it isn't. [ A long sigh as he scratches an itch on the back of his neck. Yeah, he's going to have to go in and... do the thing... ]

Koumei. If I don't come back, please take care of the foxes. That's Naki, his little fox, the robofox, and the plush fox that Naki just brought home. They all will need attention, okay?

[ He might be overreacting to the worst case scenario of being eaten alive, but the reality is that Kogi's a pretty big spirit and his vessel is safe, too.

Cracking his knuckles, he puts his hand on the doorknob and takes a deep breath. UGH HE'S NOT READY FOR THIS ]

[Koumei nodded gravely, playing along with the drama that Kogi was building over this Fishy.]

I solemnly swear on the blood of my ancestors that I will do everything in my power to take care of Nakigitsune, his little fox, the robofox, and Nakigitsune's new plush fox in your stead, and to keep them safe from any harm that may befall them.

[He watched Kogi carefully from underneath his thick bangs, his own slender figure seemingly little more than a sapling in the face of a storm. His hands tightened on the hilt of his fan, ready to move if it should become necessary.]

[ Kogi's secretly pleased??? Even if all that happens is he gets chewed on a bit, it's good that Koumei would go to such verbose lengths to keep foxes safe... even if it's not now that Kogi gets hurt, who knows?

He'll hold the man to this. NEVER FORGET. ]

Good. I'll see you on the other side.

[ And Kogi goes into the bathroom. No sounds are made at first, but then a loud hiss and an angry shout soon follow! Struggling ensues, whatever is happening behind the door is a truly amazing battle...

... then a loud thud and something heavy hits the ground. ]

[--oh dear!

Moving tentatively, with his hand held protectively before his face, Koumei once again cracked open the door to peer inside...]

Mister Kogi?

[ Well, if the two of them ever wanted to see a sleeping fish? Fishy is definitely taking a nap, and not one it probably wanted to take. Kogi is lying on top of it, too. Surprisingly enough, the little fox is okay! Sort of! ]

... I slipped while trying to pick it up. I think it's safe to put in now, right? Can fish drown?

[ The last thing Kogi wants to do is drown a fish. Wow. ]

[This fox.....wow, Koumei wasn't certain what to make of this! Kneeling down, Koumei regarded Fox and Fishy on the floor uncertainly.]

Not the way you're imagining. Where is his...uhm, bedroom? It might be safest to move him there as soon as we can.

[Because fish drowned when they were out of the water.]

[ As Kogitsune lifts himself off of the unconscious fish, he thinks of where they could stash Fishy. Well, there is an empty bedroom on the other side of the apartment! The other one, however, is Donut's room.

Either will work. Donut likes fighting things, right? Perfect! ]

Just across the hall. Would you help me carry it? It is a little heavy.

[ It's not hard to plop Fishy back into the hastily-filled tank, but any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Kogi will even steer them in the possibly right direction! ]

[Oh gods...Donut and Fishy. Koumei couldn't imagine a worse combination.]

Of course-- please don't hurt yourself, [He replied, stashing his fan somewhere safe while he maneuvered to the otherside of the massive tank and made to lift it.

Or, rather, tried. His skinny frame wasn't accustomed to this sort of work, and it was hard for him to get a good grip on it.]

How-- how did you even get this up here?

[ Actually, that sounds like a complete meal! ]

Oh, it wasn't full when I got it up here. Fishy lived in another tank, but I believe it was eaten as soon as it saw its new home.

[ Good ol' Fishy, limiting garbage. ]

Don't worry, we're almost there! The door is already open.

[ Kogi's pretty strong, thanks to being the spirit of a rare tachi! Koumei's help is still needed, mostly because it'd be REALLY hard if it was just him. Just having that additional height is great!

And he backs into the room, not bothering to look if anyone even lived in it, motioning toward a bed. ]

Just put your side on, and I'll do the same.

It ate it's tank?

[It took all of Koumei's concentration to not drop his jaw, for he would have dropped the tank as well, instead, he followed the guidance of this strong and rare Tachi in setting the tank on a bed...]

Your master, Mister Haru...does he know that Fishy is here? Won't he be upset if we took a bed?

I guess it was hungry. I don't know what it eats, other than... a lot of junk.

[ Specifically, the bones and skin of various animals that he is allowed to bring home from the restaurant! It's not all udon, you know. ]

But yes, I will let Haru know. I'll even tell him you helped! I'm sure he'll be very appreciative that you were around to assist me.

[ Or he'll wonder why Koumei didn't stop the little fox from being such a derp? Kogi does notice Fishy is waking up, so he gently nudges the other man. ]

Let's get out of here and grab a snack. I could use some tofu...

[Haru likely knew his swords well enough to know how futile the effort in stopping them was once they got rolling-- and Koumei was more curious about what Kogi could do on his own with the strange, aquatic beast than anything else. Drawing an arm wearily across his brow, lifting his heavy bangs from his face, he siighed in relief that the job was over.]

At least no one was eaten in this venture-- I'll set up a sign to warn the others...and see what snacks we can procure to placate the beast.

[Because damn. He didn't want to see that thing when it was angry.]

In the meantime, tofu does sound good. Do you mind company?

Oh! Fishy food? We can get some while we go to the restaurant. They probably will have something lying about that we can bring back for it.

[ Meaning, carry-out for Fishy. What a spoiled alien! ]

And of course I don't mind company! Eating is always better with others, especially during these trying times.

[ The little fox curls an arm around Koumei, grinning. ]

Oh, and don't worry about paying! At this point, I basically own half of the place myself.

[ Because he's eaten so much tofu and has paid them so much out of his own checks... ]

[What a spoiled alien, indeed. Fishy has no idea how giving his current master is! Mulling over this, Koumei cast a curious glance upwards at Kogi as they left the apartment-- presumably toward whatever place Kogi planned to take them too.]

So the tofu shop sells more than tofu? Fascinating--although we really should be careful if we're purchasing anything for him. He might not appreciate it as as much as we think.

[And Koumei was going to worry about paying. He would just send payment later on if Kogi insisted on just walking out...]

Of course! The Kitsune Udon has to have noodles to go with the aburaage. Otherwise, it's just... well, I could go for either. But there's other food, only because some don't like the taste of well-crafted broth, fresh noodles, and the best fried tofu...

[ Kogi can be a responsible and well-liked little fox when he wants. Unfortunately, his manager doesn't know that because since day one, he's been trying to sneak food on the side.

This is why he is always in timeout. ]

And don't worry about leftovers, because whatever you don't eat we can bring back.

[ Or he'll eat it himself, fufufu. ]

It's hard to dislike noodles and tofu-- but, the general tastes of much of this city are suspect if that McCERES is as popular as it is. I still don't even understand the menu when I go in there.

[Because 'chicken nuggets' were a wonderfully vague item that was somewhat terrifying, for he had never even heard of a body part known as a 'nugget'. Where was it, anatomically?]

Hm! You know, I've never been to a McCERES. There's never been any need, what with Nakigitsune's deliveries, the snacks that we normally have around, and the noodles and tofu I eat at work. Is it an awful place?

[ BUT NUGGETS ARE THE BEST??? If you think about where they come from, you just get sucked into Culinary Hell... ]

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