#ill have them chasing their tails: ahri interaction

[shimmerbeasts]

Ahri Tag Dump.

[shimmerbeasts]

So far, Ahri rarely came across a potential victim, who knew of and was already enraptured by her. It made Caitlyn quite a unique meal and something far too interesting to toy with to just let her mind fade away into obscurity. Even as a little girl, Caitlyn Kiramman had shown Ahri how invested she was in her. The sweet heiress had studied her quite extensively and read all the books on the fox Vastaya. She had presented them almost with a sense of pride back then.

One would have assumed that Caitlyn learning more about the monstrous Vesani might make her harder prey, yet Ahri had quickly discovered the opposite. As knowledgeable as Caitlyn was on her, she seemed to be unable to draw the proper conclusions and recognise the dangers, which lay just beneath the surface. Ahri had to admit that it made for a delightfully cruel game - affirming Caitlyn's knowledge while hiding just how bad things truly were.

"Yeah." Ahri's ears flicked and she briefly looked down as if she had to readjust her perspective, "Yeah, I suppose it was." Her smile was kind, masquerading how minuscule her trip from the Freljord to Piltover meant to her.

Over the many lifetimes, she had lived, Ahri had travelled multiple times across all of Runeterra, leaving her paw prints in some shape and form in any civilisation, she graced. She had travelled by ship, on horseback, as a stowaway in a carriage, downtrodden paths in bare feet. She had worn a thousand faces and a hundred names. She had travelled near and far, visiting some towns thrice over. It was impossible to apply any weight or meaning to travel for her. Certainly not towards the collateral damage, her journeys were inflicting.

"Well, I certainly hope, I would have been a pleasant dream as opposed to a nightmare."

Settling down onto the couch, Ahri took her sweet time, inspecting the interior of the bureau and letting it cue her in on what her delectable, little morsel had been up to, now that she was a big chunk of meat. The minimalist set-up of a desk with two chairs and the nameplate spoke of Caitlyn's professionalism. Even though she was an independent detective, she wanted to be taken seriously and seen as more than just the daughter of rich Cassandra Kiramman. What happened to the mother? Ahri absentmindedly wondered.

The photographs on the desk's corner drew Ahri's ire next. She barely inspected the picture with Caitlyn's parents, knowing she had outmanoeuvred them already. No, it was the more recent photo upon which she remained focused. Caitlyn and this Vi. Her prey really must be thinking the world of that redhead! Well, Ahri could not have this. She would have to properly isolate Caitlyn and make that punk in the photograph as meaningless as a stranger on the street.

Ahri brushed her finger over the tea mug after she had taken the first few sips. Her palm could feel the rising heat. The fox Vastaya said: "Proper tea brewing is an art in and of itself, but the results are worth it. You seem to be quite the natural, Caitlyn."

Ahri watched Caitlyn bustle around to keep her content and happy. The Vastayashai'rei was the picture of perfect innocence, even though, she knew that Caitlyn's sudden abundance of hospitality did not come from the goodness of her heart. Such was the power of her charm. Only a foolish mortal would assume that all such powers were ever used for, was to get someone to bed her.

The tips of Ahri's tails flicked ever so slightly in discontent at such devotion towards a rival to Caitlyn's affections. However, she did not let it show, and instead merely said: "Your partner is very lucky to have you."

Yellow eyes flickered across the plate, filled to its rim with sweets and pastries. The sweet smell of the sugar and the deep, rich aroma of the chocolate clogged up her fine nose so much, that the vixen couldn't help but let out a brief sneeze. Ahri picked up a chocolate chip cookie with a blackened hand and gave it a soft nibble.

Caitlyn's gaze had been lingering on her tails repeatedly, ever since Ahri had made herself comfortable. Hearing her ask whether or not, she might touch them, Ahri lowered her half-finished cookie and placed two of her tails with a swoosh onto Caitlyn's lap. She gave an inviting nod.

　⊰ ⸻ ⊱　Caitlyn hadn't realized the trap she walked into. The danger near her was unknown due to her interest in Ahri as a child. The books left her with awe and interest, not knowing the full depth of danger that lingered behind the fox. Her curiosity was her undoing in this instance, unaware of being trapped within the beautiful tails of the vixen. "You've been traveling, that's quite a journey," Caitlyn smiled, not even to question the outlook of the crew. Her mind weaved, feeling as if a little something was off, and yet, she couldn't put her finger on it. Her reactions slowed as she focused more on Ahri than on what she had just been doing. A soft laugh left her lips as Ahri ruffled the back of her hair, and she brushed her hand up against it to loosen the hair to fall back straight down again.

"I'm glad to see you again, I almost started to wonder if my little meeting with you had been a dream," Caitlyn admitted once in the Bureau and Ahri made herself comfortable on the couch.

The bureau was a simple building, with a desk in the center where Caitlyn conducted her interviews and job propositions. Two chairs at the front, and then her seat at the opposite side. On the desk was a nameplate: Caitlyn Kiramman. A cherry wood frame picture rested on the corner of the desk, with a photo of Caitlyn and Vi inside of it, and another picture of Caitlyn with Cassandra in Tobias next to that. A small feathered pen quill was dipped in a bottle of ink and several papers scattered on the desk from a recent job option. To the far wall was a board, covered in a massive map of Piltover and the upper portion of Zaun, and to the right was another paper of Zaun of the three mid regions: upper, middle, and lower. Little notes were clipped all over the paper, something that was kept up to date often. Along the wall was a long square bookshelf, two squares high and about 10 across, filled with books and trinkets abound. Some of the trinkets looked out of place, like a Small globe of rusted metal that would have been found in Zaun, or a little self-made top from Zaun that a little girl might hold. Then there were the Piltover charms like a cherry blossom metal lap set on top: a gift from Caitlyn's mother.

Eyes fell upon Ahri, comfortably stretched out on the couch with thick wild tails of porcelain white that Caitlyn found almost irresistable to touch. She settled down the tea and watched as Ahri took a taste and smiled. "Oh, good, it's one of my favorites, I know just the right time to brew the tea so it's a lovely spicy taste without being overpowering," Caitlyn lifted her finger and then tapped it against her lips. "I'm sure I have... ah yes!" Caitlyn twisted back around. It wasn't uncommon for her to be a hostess to those who were around her, but something in this drew her differently. It's a feeling of servitude as if she had to do this. She needed Ahri happy, and as she paused at the table she lowered her brows slightly. It was a similar feeling before, as a little girl. She had dragged Ahri into a library, showing off all her books on Ahri she had. the legends of the nine tails, and many more. As if she needed to make sure the fox was content.

She shook her head, trying to fight off that weird sensation as she picked up the tray of pastries and sweets. "I hope you don't mind, I like to keep sweets around for me and my partner. She's quite partial to anything chocolate," Caitlyn chuckled, as she set down the platter. Upon it were several chocolate chip cookies, some pastries filled with fruit such as strawberry or cherry, and a couple of brownies covered in powdered sugar. "If there is one you are particular to, I can have some delivery from the sweet shoppe," Caitlyn offered and settled down as she gazed at her tails. "They are still as beautiful as I last remembered them. May I?" Caitlyn asked, wanting to touch one of her fluffed tails, but not doing so unless Ahri said it was okay. She remembered one of the legends that a curse would befall those who grabbed the tail of a vixen if not given permission first.

[shimmerbeasts]

Despite her young age, the sorceress feared very few things. Her mother, a member of a Coven, had exposed her to various magical beings during visits for specific celebrations. So encountering a fox-lady didn't elicit much surprise. "Can I help you with anything, Miss…?" The ten-year-old girl had long, raven-black hair, ice-blue eyes, and healthy rose-colored cheeks. Slightly taller than her peers, she was likely beginning an early growth spurt. In her hand, she held a black rose crafted from black spinel, which she idly fiddled with between her fingers. "Mom is not home, and I am not allowed to let anybody in. If you are here for a potion or a ritual, you can tell me." Disclosing her mother's absence wasn't an issue, as Serena had created a barrier preventing anyone from entering without an invitation. Even demons required permission or trick them into get an invitation. From the doorway, Ahri glimpsed two more children, both boys. Younger than the girl by the door, one not by much, and the other a mere toddler. Seemed like she was standing on the door as a way to prevent the stranger to seeing much of the inside of the house - possible to not let strangers getting in contact with her brothers. @blackrosesmatron cont. from here.

Different locations required different hunting strategies. Even though Ahri's preferred target largely remained the same, every child was different and the fox Vastaya knew better than to assume she could repeat her strategies indefinitely. Thus Ahri had gotten used to observing the children, she interacted with, taking in as much information as possible, and adjusting her behaviour accordingly.

Even before the oldest of the girls - Ahri guessed she could not be much older than ten - started to speak, the Vastaya could sense the magical barrier, surrounding the house. The vixen had recognised that attempting to break through the barrier by force would be a waste of time and an unwise move as it would merely lay bare her malicious nature. No, if she wanted to get into the house, she had to do so by being invited in through the children.

As Ahri laid eyes on the little boys behind the girl - brothers no doubt -, the fox Vastaya realised she had potentially found her target. The younger ones would make a welcome little snack. Something sweet and easy. The type of light, easy meal, you used after you had already feasted properly and now wanted to get the strong flavour of beef out of your mouth. As for whom of the children would be the heavier, but more filling meal - that undeniably was the girl. The way, she seemed laced with maturity and youth, would no doubt create a fascinating juxtaposition.

"Irah", Ahri introduced herself and gave a benign smile for she had caught the girl staring at the hint of her tail underneath her traveller's cloak. The fox Vastaya gave a polite nod, hand placed upon her heart. "And it seems nothing can escape your watchful eyes, young one." Ahri dandily lifted up the hem of her cloak and allowed her voluminous, snow-white tail to idly sway from side to side. "You are correct. I am partly animal."

Dropping the cloak again, Ahri snickered idly. Her expression then turned sad. "I suppose you could say I have come here in need of aid", Ahri claimed, "You see, I am being plagued by a terrible aching tooth at the back of my mouth. It doesn't let me sleep or eat. Rumours said that your mother's a wise and competent woman. I was hoping she could make me something, which may soothe that painful ache."

Ahri clasped her hands together and gave a soft, sad sigh as she looked at the floor. "But it seems your mother is not even home right now, which is such a shame", Ahri said, "Though you look like a competent, little fellow. Your mother must trust you a lot if she puts you in charge. You look like a big girl. Do you think you could help me?" As Ahri looked at the girl again, for a few seconds her azure eyes flashed a dark glowing magenta.

[shimmerbeasts]

RP: Not Every Animal Is A Friend

It was remarkable how similar continents could be, even if on the outside, they looked more different than anything. However as frigid and freezing as the Freljord could be, Ionia had its fair share of regions, which dropped below zero temperatures too. Given how Ahri had spent the majority of the life, she could remember in a forest, which clung to a mountain range, populated by a pack of ice foxes, she felt strangely equipped for the chilly temperatures of the Freljord.

A cold wind carried a trail of snowflakes with itself. Ahri stalked through the snow, paws sinking into the frosty white up to her ankles. Her ears were pressed tightly against her head and her amber eyes squinted. Thick white fur puffed up to keep pace with the chilly temperatures. As Ahri carefully ascended the mountain's ridge, claws holding onto any stone, she could find, she could not make out a sign of life far and wide.

All, that existed, was the wind, shaking the firs and making the thick snowflakes do summersaults in mid-air. The mountain to her left seemed to climb up into the skies, its tip vanishing among thin, mist-like clouds. The little sunlight, reaching Ahri, was paler than what she was used to from Ionia. The Vastaya had heard rumours of how the Freljord had a night, which could last for months on end and had a cold period so severe, it was one of the toughest times of the year.

Ahri wondered whether or not she had made a mistake venturing out now. Past experiences had taught her that she could go without feeding for an incredibly long amount of time, longer than even she had anticipated. However, at the end of the day, the resulting feeding method she chose to escape her starvation was less than pretty. Even so, the fox Vastaya had to remember why she had ventured into the Freljords to begin with.

She had very little memories of the time before she had lived with the ice foxes. However, now, things were beginning to return to her like in a haze. Among them had been a large, mammalian silhouette with horns, six arms and the hints of a huge mouth with sharp fangs. Something was familiar like Ahri oughta know them, but she couldn't tell why. Nevertheless armed with the small hints of her memories, Ahri had scoured the lands and eventually, her search had led her here to the Freljord. If she was not completely wrong, Ahri should find the creature from her memories here. She just had to track them down.

Sensing the temperatures dropping, Ahri realised she had to find shelter to rest soon. Even if she could just curl herself up somewhere and use her nine tails like a blanket, the Vastaya was in a foreign wilderness where spirits were as rampant as in her home back in Ionia. It would be unwise to rest somewhere too exposed.

The smoke and orange gleam of a nearby fire caught Ahri's attention. Hurrying across the snowy slope of the mountain, she came across a gorge, where someone had lit a small campfire. Peering down from her perch, Ahri could make out a truly bizarre sight. There, warming himself by the fire and eating some kind of backed cinnamon swirl, sat a little boy in a red woollen cloak with fur on its edges and a green, adorable hat, shaped like a small beast with pointy ears. The rest of his garb was held in earthy tones. The boy couldn't be much older than ten.

His sight made Ahri's mouth water. However, it was the companion of the boy, which surprised her in the most positive of ways. There sat the very beast from her memories. Now no longer a haze, Ahri could make out curvy, reindeer antlers, a silver blueish white pelt, perfectly adapted to living in the harsh climate, and that huge maw, adorned with sharp teeth, the creature mostly hid behind a cat-like snout. Its soft eyes rested on the boy with fondness.

At first, Ahri grew worried, suspecting that this spirit had already chosen the boy as his meal, however, as she kept watching, the more puzzled she grew. The monster was not eating the little boy. It didn't even make any motion of hostility or aggression. Instead, it laughed warmly and seemed to communicate with the little boy, who was grandly gesturing around, talking to the beast like to an old friend.

Ahri craned her head to one side, nine tails standing up behind the vixen as she contemplated on what best to do. She then wound the tails together to form a singular tail and began her descent into the gorge. Leaping from rock to rock, she finally landed in the snow several feet away from the fire. Shaking herself as if she was indeed freezing, Ahri gave a soft sneeze of discomfort. Only then did the vixen titter totter closer towards the warming fireplace, casting a weary glance at the boy and his monster, releasing the softest of whimpers while she made sure the boy could catch a glimpse of her flank, which seemed nothing but skin and bones.

Starter for @mythicspiration

[shimmerbeasts]

Big red eyes peered over a rock, glancing at the creature before her. Seemed like a fox but... not quite? Didn't smell like that, that was for sure. Daddy had said there wouldn't be monsters on that side of the forest, so she didn't think this one would be any danger. And if it was... well, she could breath fire! True, not her best skill and she could use some more practice. But... that strange fox was definitely better than the kids from the village. They were mean, same went for the adults, and Shyvana couldn't really get why. Sure, they didn't have scales or horns or a tail, but they didn't look alike either! The little dragoness moved away from the rock and started to approach the fox like creature, trying to not look like too much of a threat to scare her off. "Your furr is so pretty!" The eight year old said in a soft, whisper like tone. "Are you a misfit like me too?" @demacianhcart cont. from here.

Ahri knew that she was being watched. The little dragon-like creature had snuck in the direction of the wind and thus its scent had carried into the fox Vastaya's nostrils way before her agile, black paws had felt the vibrations in the ground. It spoke of the youth of her trespasser. Any skilled ambush predator would know to not give their game away so soon.

However, Ahri played the fool, acting oblivious to her secret watcher. Instead the snow-white vixen with her thick, white tail had locked eyes with a bunch of grapes. They were a dark, ripe purple and hung just out of reach. Ahri squatted down, wagged her tail, put her ears back and leapt up into the air. Snap, snap, snap. Her jaws kept missing the berries by mere inches as she continued to leap. Ahri knew she could reach those fruits with ease, but she was intentionally missing to thug at the little child's heartstrings. After all, who didn't love helping an animal?

Ahri timed her next jump in a way, which made her land right back on the ground as the little dragon girl approached her. Her body was turned to the side and Ahri shuffled backwards, tail tugged between her legs, her ears pressed tightly against her head. It wouldn't be satisfactory for any child if the fox was friendly towards them immediately. It would lack the sense of accomplishment and pride, which Ahri had learned was oh, so very crucial to wound children around her metaphorical finger.

However, as the dragon girl spoke, Ahri realised that she should talk just a little bit. After all, the girl had just assigned her a role: Misfit. And what was a greater misfit than a snow-white fox with the power of speech? Ahri looked away, her ears went droopy and her tail tip twitched. She gave a soft sniffle as if she was ashamed to admit something.

"Yes", Ahri said, "I'm a misfit too; I suppose. Other animals don't want much to do with me as I can talk." She peered up at the dragon girl. "You look strange too", she whispered and pawed at her scales, "But it looks pretty." Ahri then drew the girl's attention to the grapes as she said: "Could you help me get those? I tried getting them but my leaps were not strong enough. They look so very ripe. I am sure they must be sweet as honey."

[shimmerbeasts]

The chains wrapped around her and while Ahri did allow herself to be caged, she didn't allow this state to persist for a long time. Her ears flicked and she cocked her head aside as if she was inspecting the art of a three-year-old for a talent competition. Her lips twitched into an insincere smile.

"Oh, that's cute."

Her body disappeared before she seemed to blink back into existence within a fraction of a second. In actuality, Ahri hadn't teleported herself and instead used her powers to quicken her reflexes and thus dash out of Tresh's hold on her. His scythe had not even made a knick near her throat. As ancient as the ghost before her was, he was still a child. A very powerful child, throwing a bit of a tantrum, but a child nonetheless.

"I think I'll pass", Ahri said politely, "You are going to age up the boy way too fast and then he loses the intensity of flavour, I enjoy." Her clawed hand waved dismissively. "I'll let you keep that soul. But realise, Tresh, if you try such an action again, we'll see just how much bone marrow is still in you."

Thresh allowed Ahri to caress the soul for a moment before it went back to the lantern, disappearing in the cacaphony of screams within. They never had actively fough for a soul, even tho have have bumped path for some time now. One they they would have enough of each other and one of them would prevail. Then again, he had no life essense and was already dead, so in his mind he had the upper hand. "Bold of you to assume I wasn't behind it. You take months to mature your food, I take decades. Nothing is better savored than a life long of suffering and misfortune."

The Chain warden made one swift move, moving his chains so they would wrap around Ahri's waist and pull her close, blade of the cythe placed gendly under her chin. "And I said I will hand it over to do, did I not? In a couple decades after my use for it is over. Maybe it will taste even better afte some quality time within my lantern." He stated. "Unless you want to know what happen with little foxes's pelts if they want too far off where they should stay."

Would this be showdown day? Would they just part ways and maybe she would get the upper hand on him at some point? Who knew. It was always the game they played after all.

[shimmerbeasts]

✩  Grooming, brushing, or tending to their hair. - Caitlyn / Ahri

Acts of Affection||Accepting.

The concept of physically tending to your own body like grooming and brushing your hair was not something unfamiliar for Ahri. As much as most human concepts seemed to have become serene and more a strange dream for the Vastaya, she was still aware that if she wanted to get a good kill on a child or teenager, let alone an adult, she had to be presentable and attractive in some sense. After all, as she had observed, attractive people were deemed more approachable and safe. It was why Ahri had gone through such efforts to conceal her missing arm and her empty eye socket.

Even so, Ahri had to admit, she had never used a proper brush on her hair or tails. In the past, she had always relied on her long, sharp nails to comb through her thick, black mane. However, now that she sat there with a brush in her hair, feeling the many small prongs working their way through the strands, the fox Vastaya could not help but relax a touch and close her eyes with a quiet flutter. Her pointy ears went droopy and the tips of her tails twitched occasionally.

Ahri opened her eyes, which flashed a subtle hint of rose as she briefly cast a look at Caitlyn. By now, she was fairly certain that in a way, the young detective had become another source of essence for her, much like Yasuo was. Oh, grumpy Yasuo. Yet whenever they met, she coaxed a smile out of him sooner or later. The fox Vastaya snickered at the thought. Cheek supported by a loosely curled fist, her azure eyes inspected Caitlyn, who continued brushing her hair with diligence and care.

I wonder what I have to do to get a smile out of you.

"You know, I do not think I ever had someone brush my hair", Ahri flattered Caitlyn, "You have quite a gentle and careful touch. Almost revering. Please do not stop."

Mischief sparked in her eyes. Ahri's tails, which had huddled around her, giving her a comfortable cushion to sit on, shuddered before one of them ever so gracefully rose and began to tickle Caitlyn right underneath the nose. Soon enough, that playful tickle elicited a sneeze from Caitlyn, followed by her rubbing her dandy nose. Ahri held a hand before her mouth as she laughed, movements perfectly controlled to appear positively gayly and charming.

"You have the cutest, little sneeze", Ahri called, "Do you know that? A-tschoo!" The Vastaya mimed the sneeze, making her ears bounce backwards for maximum sweetness. "Oh, you are so very droll, Caitlyn."

Ahri's eyes darkened in their rose colour, becoming almost something magenta. She breathed a kiss on Caitlyn's face and pink glitter dust rained down upon the young detective's nose. Her eyes glazed over in rose and the hand, brushing her mane, slowed down. There was a forlorn expression on Caitlyn Kiramman's face as if she did not know where she was or what she was doing. Yet at the same time, there was not a shard of fear in her gaze as she idled on the spot.

A pleased smile crossed Ahri's face and a hint of wickedness flashed before her eyes. She crept closer on her hands and knees until she was merely inches away from Caitlyn. Taking hold of the detective's face, her tails formerly white as snow suddenly gained a purple glow and even her bangs seemed to gain a muddied yellow colour. Ahri's eyes shifted into purple, spiralling with a maddening glint and her mouth opened wider as if she was drawing in the air.

A trail of sparkling, glowing, blue mist flooded out of Caitlyn's eyes and mouth. It gathered inside Ahri's mouth, filled it up like a spring. The Fox Vastaya closed her lips, tasting something a bit spicy like a strong herbal tea with notes of vanilla. Underneath that flavour, an image flickered before Ahri's eyes: A little girl with black hair being shown the proper way to handle a rifle, she had yet to grow into.

Ahri swallowed the essence, together with the memory, she had acquired. Her arms wrapped around Caitlyn in a possessive, yet passionate and loving embrace. Her tails pooled around Caitlyn, creating a fluffy and comforting blanket. Ahri drew strange symbols on Caitlyn's back as she whispered: "Easy, Caitlyn. You just were out of it a little bit. Do you want to continue brushing my tails? I liked what you did with my hair so far."

This ask may be continued if so desired.

[shimmerbeasts]

The automatic response to someone touching his shoulder without him realizing they were there, especially after an attempted assassination that left him twitchy. So when he felt the presence he turned to land a punch, only to immediately stop when he saw who it was. "O-oh! Sorry Ma'am..." He cleans his throat and (badly) tries to play off the punch as him bumping his chest for no reason. "I'm fine it is...it's not my blood. Again, sorry for almost hitting you."

Ahri brought her arms up at an uncanny speed, ready to catch the sudden blow coming her way. In her years as a huntress, she had had cases where pursuers had tried to outmanoeuvre and trick the vixen. Valiant man, coming at her with axes and swords. Ahri had been able to catch a wrist midswing and keep it in her grasp, no matter how much you pulled. Thus Ahri was fully prepared to catch the Vastaya's fist and twist his wrist sideways.

However, it seemed the man had recognised that he had almost struck a woman in the face. Stammering an apology with a beet-red face and badly changing the punch into an awkward tapping against his chest for no particular reason, Ahri followed his example and lowered her arm. Unlike her usual travels, she had her hood down, allowing him to see her black fox ears and one thick white tail, swaying from side to side behind her legs.

The Vastayashai'rei had attempted to clean away the blood, which had splattered his thick, black and golden-tipped fur, surrounding his shoulders and back. It hadn't looked like it was his, though it was sweet to hear the muscular man confirm it as if he meant to ease any potential worry. Ahri could feel a lingering thrum of absorbed, powerful energy, which intrigued her quite a bit.

However, Ahri hid any of those intrigues and instead humbly bowed her head as she said: "You have nothing to apologise for, young man. I understand the agitation after having been under attack. I should have said something before I tried to clean the blood of your pelt."

The Vastayashai'rei took note of the dead man a few feet away from them. Blood and snot were pooling out of his nose and he had a black eye. His muscles looked strangely frail and depleted as if something had ripped the very strength from them. Ahri's one ear flicked in mild curiosity.

"What happened here?"

@chaotick-musings cont. from here.

[shimmerbeasts]

You would have been someone great.

Sometimes, the most salacious prey could be found in the most desperate ones. Insecurity found its way into the human body in many forms. Some withdrew into themselves, stayed in the shadows and became timid and shy. The permanent wallflowers, desperately hoping not to be noticed. Others masqueraded their crippling insecurity and loneliness by surrounding themselves with yes men and projecting an air of vapid confidence and loud, clueless boasting, hoping that if they were just noisy and obnoxious enough, people wouldn't notice the bleeding heart beneath or the emptiness in their skulls.

Ezreal was that second type of insecurity, hiding behind a cocky smirk and a smug glint in sapphire eyes. He was mostly skirting by on his good looks, from that charming Adonis complexion to those lush, dark golden locks. However, if you were to ask Ezreal to actually flirt with a woman without revealing how insecure he truly was, after the first few lines, you immediately had an impossible blushing mess on your hands.

It was this very same boy, which Ahri had set her sights on when she had returned to Piltover after a prolonged absence. And while Ezreal was an adult, his mental immaturity made him effectively a child. It made him a rare case of a meal, which extended in his memories far beyond the normal age of adulthood. Ahri would be a fool to let such a chance to fill her belly slip her by. Not that she would ever hunger in the City of Progress - it harboured far too many children, who had never learned to say No to strangers and were far too easily placated.

And so Ahri had strategically sought out Ezreal's company. A few swoons over a drink here, a charmed sigh as she looked after him there, the carefully dropped compliments in between, the fox Vastaya had done everything in her power to make the boy see her as a potential admirer and him as the brave, gallant adventurer, he liked to present himself as. At the same time, Ahri had carefully made sure that outside of seeing her as an admirer, the boy also got just enough hints of her own radiant beauty to wrap him all the tighter around her pinkie finger.

The hard work had paid off.

Ahri's palms were softly digging into Ezreal's shoulder blades. The boy lay underneath her on a beautiful couch with satin pillows and satin-decorated duvets. Only in Piltover could you find people living like kings while claiming the opposite. Yet there was no denying it: The merchant clans were the kings of the City of Progress. They traded with the most elusive goods ... and what was Ezreal but a trader of goods himself? Oh, sure, the famed 'Jarro Lightfeather' might have kept some of the goods for himself, but he still sold the most priceless artefacts to the highest bidder.

Part of Ahri wondered during the massage, she gave the boy, what he would ever do if he chose to expand his trading career into that of monsters and beasts. Ahri had had her fair share of run-ins with monster hunters, and while most had wanted her dead, there had been some, who had hoped they could sell one of her tails for some magical potion. And not just her tails. Ahri had met people, who had been after her liver or spleen and of course, her heart. Living as a Vastaya was a dangerous business - especially outside of Ionia.

The fox Vastaya had nothing to fear from Ezreal. Even as she massaged his back and whispered sweet nothings into his ear, a rumbling whisper, forming words in his mind, he wanted to hear, her eyes glowed a radiant pink, a dark rose as her charm enveloped the young traveller, falling upon him as harmlessly as glitter dust. Yet the lure dug into Ezreal's brain like knives, drenched in honey, the sweetness of the flavour barely masking the horror of what was happening to the boy.

He had gone almost entirely limp in her grasp. Ahri could flip him over like a fox might a dead bird. And much like a fox could chew up a chick whole with little effort, Ahri looked down at those glassy eyes and that blissful smile, plastered across that youthful face, with a gaze of primordial hunger and beastial malice. She smiled as she cupped Ezreal's cheeks and leaned over him. Her tails had unfurled, a mess of snow-white, whipping extremities, flitting this way and that way in a flurry of excitement and anticipation.

Her jaw split open, tendrils of spit connecting with sharpened fangs. Ahri's eyes went from the rose of her lure to a dangerous cyan blue, which filled out her entire iris. A similar glow shimmered in the depths of her throat. A vacuum-like sensation tugged at Ezreal's hair as like mist a fair blue substance poured out of his eyes and mouth. It connected into a thick strand, which transformed itself into a faint glowing orb, that settled quite comfortably on her tongue.

A little boy with blond curls was sitting on another woman's knee. Her hair was as golden as his and her hand stroked his back. Warmth, safety and comfort emitted from the boy like in waves - that woman must be Ezreal's mother. Looking at him with a soft, empathetic expression she spoke: "One day, you will be something great, my son. I know it." And that surge of excitement and joy, of utter trust... Ezreal believed every word.

Ahri rolled the precarious memory around on her tongue, savouring and drinking in every flavour and crumb of emotion it had to offer. Knowing how deeply that boy had hoped to be something great, to make his mother's words a reality... No wonder, he preferred being Jarro Lightfeather over that miserable, little loner, whom society had forgotten. It would be far too easy to break such a fragile mind. The thought made Ahri smirk. She thrust her head back and swallowed. The memory was so small, so insignificant in the grand scheme of things, it did not even leave a bulge in her throat. Yet for Ezreal, it had been everything.

Looking back down at the lethargic boy, Ahri dropped down beside him like a lover might have and caressed his side as she once more planted a kiss upon his temple. Her tails merged back into one thick tail, which brushed over Ezreal's thigh. Ahri kept a watchful gaze on those glassy eyes and as they started to clear, she spoke: "You dozed off during my massage. How are you feeling, Ezreal?"

@compasswithin gets a symbol-specific starter: Send 💭 to have Ahri feed off your muse's memories. Bonus: Specify the memory Ahri takes.

[shimmerbeasts]

Ahri made sure to keep herself in an almost diminutive posture. Unassuming and non-threatening, she wondered after the dragon guard, keeping her tail limp and curled near her legs. The only hints that she was taking in the new environment, were the wandering of amber eyes and the twitching of her pointy ears underneath her hood. Her figure was dwarfed beside the dragon guard, only further increasing the idea of a lack of threat.

The Great City of Demacia was a colossal fortress of white stone. The impenetrable wall had looked imposing on the outside, however, now that Ahri wandered over the red-plastered streets, broad enough that two horse carriages could be pulled beside one another, she became aware of the true splendour and size of the city.

We're in a bowl, Ahri realised, That bowl fills up and then there is no more hope left.

The buildings towered on the sides of the street, though they all lay in the shadow of an enormous castle. The castle had a round dome in its centre of dark blue glass, encased in strong metal, and several smaller towers, jutting out of it like watchful eyes. Statues of warriors and knights in complex armour watched over plazas, upon which existed a bustle of crowds. Merchants from all over Runeterra offered their wares in loud shouts over the crowds. Children ran around between the adults, laughing in bliss and joy. The common folk veined itself safe behind its petricite walls.

Ahri's amber eyes bounced from child to child discreetly as she quelled the hunger in her stomach. Many of them were not even teens yet and it seemed quite a few had brothers and sisters. The realisation of how many siblings were here, made her mouth water. However, she refrained herself. Ahri had just fed. She could wait a little longer until she had located the perfect target. For now, she had to get her hands on the books on Vesani. Which meant she had to convince the dragon guard to not send her home in the morning. Home. Such a laughable word. Ahri had long stopped having a home.

Making out the cosy-looking inn, that they were approaching, Ahri turned her attention back to the dragon guard as she spoke. The fox Vastaya pursed her lips in mild annoyance at hearing that her request would have to get through review. Meaning she would have to hand in a paper. That was really annoying. Part of Ahri wondered if she could try to leave some of her charm's scent mark on the paper, however, there was the risk of it drying up and thus being useless. No, her best shot would be to make use of the resources she had. Which happened to be the dragon guard right next to her.

Ahri sighed softly before she gingerly squeezed the warm, strong, scaly hand in appreciation as she said: "You could do that for me? It would mean the world to a weary traveller like mine. I wish I had been made aware of this procedure, otherwise, I would have sent a request for the books myself. I am awfully sorry that you have to convenience yourself for my sake."

Meeting the she-dragon's gaze properly for the first time, Ahri's ember eyes glittered as if she meant to draw the beast in even further as she said: "You may call me Riah. I deeply appreciate you taking your duty so seriously. May I ask what your name is, loyal guard?"

Ana started to lead the way to the inn. For Ahri's luck, the only one that would be able to take her was right within the walls so at least she would be safe from the dangers of outside and considering she knew the innkeeper, she also knew at least there the Vastahya would be safe from some internal prejudice.

It was sad that they needed to send away any Vastahya that appeared because of the population was not ready yet to accept them living among them. Heck, the dragon knew very well how harmful the looks could get and how everything could go south fast if there was just one person to ignite the fire.

Unknown to her where the idea was coming from, a small thought appeared in her mind seeing the sadness on the fox's eyes. What if she were to allow the other to stay? She knew places where a magic being could stay and not call too much attention to themselves and surely Ahri could wait to have her request to look for those books granted in the meantime.... no. Rules were rules. She shook her head as if trying to send that thought away.

"Well I can send in papers on your behalf,althought I can't garantee they will be approved since they are going throug a review." Shyvana replied. "What is your name, stranger? The inkeeper is an aquaintance of mine but still I'll be rending a room for myself as well to make sure no one bothers you, sadly hatred goes a long way and while it should be a safe space for a Vastahya, I'd rather don't have a magical creature hurt or capture under my watch." The dragon asked as they made way through the streets the building that they were going for slowly appearing in the distance as they approached.

Shyvana was guiding the fox, gently holding her soft hand in hers, avoiding the best she could to harm her with her claws. Sometimes it was so easy to just draw blood like that and while she thought a Vastahya would be able to handle it better, her time among humnas had taugh her to deal with others almost as if they could break, so that's how she was behaving with Ahri.

[shimmerbeasts]

Constellations

Ahri was left out of breath as she sprinted up the hill. Stopping at the edges of the forest, which overlooked the town the Vastayashai'rei had just fled, she allowed herself a moment to take in the air. Her slim chest, barely concealed by a pair of perky breasts, rose and fell and her breath clouded like frost in the air. The aftertaste of the soul, she had taken, still flooded her senses. Sweet like honey, Ahri would have taken that much more, had it not been for a hunter's dog barking and coming for her. Human body or not, it seemed those wretched creatures would always be able to sniff out the fox within her.

Even now Ahri could hear its hoarse barking travelling up the hill as it tried to catch her fleeting scent trail. The vixen had overstayed her welcome, and with this calculation, Ahri dipped into the depths of the forest. She liked being in nature more than being in the cities anyhow. A cool night breeze carried petals and with them, the smell of apple trees. The grass underneath her blackened, clawed feet was moist and cool.

Long, snow-white tail split into nine tails, swaying back and forth, as Ahri continued to wander around. Her black, pointy ears, jutting out of her obsidian hair, caught the quiet rustle and prattling of the animal folks, and her yellow eyes could make out the smallest critters, climbing among the branches above her or skampering through the bushes beside her.

Above her, cut into pieces by the tree branches, glistened the stars. The sun had started to set by the time, Ahri had bolted away from the town. The vixen stopped in her wandering and peered up into the sky. Closing her eyes for a few seconds, she idly inhaled the air, smelling the pines. Her pink lips puckered into a winning smile. Opening her yellow eyes again, Ahri stood in awe at the constellations, watching how the frosty white dotted the inky sky above her. She could practically feel how ancient some of these stars had to be.

Ahri's peace was abruptly cut short when she felt a strange wave of magic pass through the area. Her ears swivelled backwards in an attempt to locate potential sounds and the hair at the root of her tail stood up. Something potentially dangerous and magical had just entered her vicinity unannounced. Ahri raised a hand and summoned a blue sphere of energy in her palm, ready to potentially throw it at the attacker and turned around.

What Ahri laid eyes on, was something rather unusual. If she had to guess, she would assume the figure was another Vastayashai'rei. He seemed to be Avian in nature with a dark greyish-black plumage, a snow-white face and two pairs of deep red eyes, which lacked any pupils. His facial features made Ahri think of an owl. He was dressed in a short, ruby-red vest with golden buttons and a pair of grey stocking pants. His arms and legs were blackened much like hers and in his case seemed to end in a pair of talons.

Ahri's yellow eyes narrowed in suspicion and she swiftly wound her nine tails into one thick tail. Balancing the ball of magic in one hand, but not making any move to throw it at the stranger, Ahri inquired: "Is there something I can help you with... Sir?"

Starter for @runes-menagerie

[shimmerbeasts]

The Yeti wasn't that easily fooled. That was the problem when you tried to approach someone, who was guarded by another supernatural creature. They defended their soon-to-be kills. Ahri knew she would react just as unbecoming, just as volatile if her own meal was being threatened. In fact, she never had any qualms to kill what might cause her mask to slip; even if this meant ending beloved pets.

However, Ahri swiftly recognised that trying to kill a fully grown Yeti wasn't an option. Not only because the other spirit carried a lot of muscle mass and thick dense fur and Ahri herself was not in her true form (something she rather wanted to avoid around meals until the last second whenever possible), but as she watched the Yeti interact with the little boy, it became more and more apparent that this was not a fight over a potential food source. The young of any species were never safe from the dangers of the world, whether that be natural or unnatural. Every predator knew that at the end of the day, children were easily accessible calories.

This Yeti was protecting the boy like it was his young. Even if said young clearly did not understand the danger, it was in. The boy was thugging at the monster's thick paw, arguing how Ahri was just a fox, wanting to get warm by the fire and that his friend, Willump, was behaving weirdly. Ahri could smell how disturbed the child was by the turn of events, even starting to become a bit scared. Not of her, of course, but of its own friend.

Willump was towering over Ahri, thick, white coat bristled and glowing teeth bared. His eyes were two balls of icy blue fire. It reminded Ahri of her very own fire. Icy blue too, these tiny flames almost seemed to have a personality of their own. Willump's gaze was cold and what sounded like a deep, rumbling growl in the boy's ears was a clear-spoken warning in Ahri's.

The vixen quickly chose to double down on the act. She had to keep staying in the role of the animal. If she played her cards correctly, then the little boy's fear would eventually force the beast to let its warning go. After all, if it cared so much for the boy, the last thing it wanted to be, was a source of fear. And that very fact was something, Ahri could exploit if she had to. The Vastaya was more than capable of creating illusions, from the pleasant to the downright horrifying.

Ahri pressed herself into the snow, put her ears flat against her head and let out a gut-wrenching whimper. She leapt backwards a couple of feet as if the Yeti had indeed frightened her. As she remained in her crouched position, making herself as small as possible with her ears flat against her head and her tail tugged between her legs, her large amber eyes found the boy's gaze. Ahri whimpered louder, giving herself a high-pitched whine; the type of sound, she knew most children couldn't resist. They all wanted to help animals so badly.

However, at the same time, she was still communicating with the Yeti, for while Ahri tugged at the boy's heartstrings, she said to Willump: "Are you sure you want to keep frightening your little charge? You don't want him to see you for what you are, do you? A monster!"

𝐈𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 veiled the mountains, polar winter swathing the land in a shadow that only trickles of daylight escaped. The pallid sun was retracting again, giving way to lightless, bitter cold. As a being as ancient and intrinsic to Freljord as the mountains he now roamed, Willump had no qualms with the changing seasons. He worried for his very young and dear friend however, a mere human child. Nunu's demeanor would not merit it however; he skipped alongside Willump, lightweight enough not to sink into the snow unlike the yeti, with a constant, unexhaustable babble of story and curiosity. That is why Willump had chosen him to carry on the magic of the yetis; Nunu had an indomitable spirit, and that the future protector of Freljord would need.

Nunu had also benevolence and kindness unmatched, and those made him the perfect heir for the magic. But he was young, very young, and had not the wisdom to know that those qualities were also weaknesses that made him vulnerable. That is why Willump was there. He would teach and protect, until the boy became the wise protector he was meant to be.

Willump had waited countless centuries for this boy to stumble into his lair. Many had come before him, seeking the magic, but none of them had the spirit. Willump had almost despaired, wandering the graveyard of his people like a ghost left behind. Disappointment after another. Evil in the hearts of mortals. The ages whipped and washed away at him, until Nunu reminded him of the yeti he had once been, and could be again.

He loved Nunu with all of his yeti heart, like his own child, like he had once loved his people. In many ways, he felt undeserving of this blissful fate. There were things which he might tell Nunu when he was older, things Nunu might begin to understand-- and whether with judgement or understanding, Willump was anxious to know. In his lair, facing those who sought to steal the magic that remained of his people, he had gained the reputation of a monster. The ground became stained with the demise of his people, and then that of mortals.

It was something he could never take back. And as he watched Nunu, expertly setting up a campfire like he'd been taught, guilt crawled beneath his thick fur. Nunu had taught him of a peace unlike anything his people had known in the ancient times. Many spirits still viewed mortals as nothing more than lesser lifeforms, but he knew better now.

They had been huddled up around the fire, weathering the settling chill while conversing and laughing, when a foreign scent mixed together with the smoke of the burning logs. It was a smell that immediately bristled Willump's furs, made the blue glow of his eyes rival the fire in front of him. A spirit knew the smell of another, and this one was familiar, ancient. Nefarious.

Nunu stirred, noticing the yeti's agitation. Willump's eyes fixated onto the darkness surrounding the fire, seeing it before Nunu could. The seemingly innocent, seemingly famished foxling emerged into the firelight, playing its act with an obviousness clear as day to Willump, but not to Nunu.

❛ Wh-- hey, Willump, you goof! It's just a little fox! ❜

Nunu moved to approach the animal, but Willump halted him with a large paw and a growl of warning. Nunu's face scruched incredulously, and he looked at Willump with reproach, tugged at his paw to stop being so weird.

❛ Willump! Can't you see it's just a fox? It won't harm us! It just wants to get warm by the fire. ❜

Willump's grip on Nunu tightened, and he offered a deeply apologetic grumble, before his gaze bore into the intruder, colder than the deepest winter. His glowing teeth bared, and what Nunu heard was simply a deep growl. He could not understand the speech of spirits, but the fox could, and Willump's voice was as cavernous and frigid as the glaciers as he threatened the fox spirit.

❛ Ice fox. I see your act, and it is futile. Your hunger leads you to foolish endeavors. One more step, and I end you where you stand. ❜

Willump tried to hold Nunu so that he concealed the scene from him, but Nunu tugged and struggled, managed to look up at Willump. He could scarcely recognize his yeti friend, with the furs bristled and eyes wild and staring. It was also getting colder-- Willump's fur didn't warm him like it usually did. Nunu shivered, not only due to the cold.

❛ Willump! What's-- why're you suddenly like this? ❜

Willump felt Nunu's shiver against him, smelled his fear, and his heart ached. His ears pressed down, features softened again, but only briefly. He remained vigilant and firm, drilling his icy gaze into the intruder and following her each movement.

[shimmerbeasts]

What was she even getting upset over? All this was nothing but wasted breath and energy on an individual like Tresh. The supernatural never scared easily. Even greenhorns with a toddler's tantrum had little to be scared off. Ahri only knew a handful of creatures, which could make others their bitch. Evelynn was one of those creatures. They had killed other demons, who had tried to go against them.

Ahri allowed her body to resemble something more human again. She rubbed her fingers over the back of her hand as she remarked utterly calmly again: "It is his grandfather, is it not? Little Toby told me about the time his grand papi went out fishing when the black mist surprised him and he was never seen again. The poor boy's missing him an awful lot." Her blackened hand reached towards the soul and gingerly caressed the boy's face, deliberately moving Tresh's hand aside as if his bones were brittle. "It made a fairly easy tether. His grandfather was the only connection this soul had after his brother died due to a plague a couple of years ago. He is still very pained by it."

Her amber eyes turned black and her hand tightened around the soul, willing to yank it out of the lantern. Ahri spoke decisively: "I am not asking it again. Hand him over or I will take him from you. You want someone to torment the grandfather? Find the soul of the dead kid. Or is that hitting too personal for you, Tresh?"

The skull like figure that was there made it hard make up any emotion, still, it was clear that the Chain Warden was very amused by the other's response, instad of intimidated that was what Ahri wanted to see with such a horrific display. It was not often he had the pleasure of annoying other beings with long lives (the undead such as Hecarim and Karthus didn't count) and it was trully fascinating how much misery he could bring with one swoop of his cythe.

"I do, actually. This one is part of a much larger plan than just feasting, there are plenty of other brats for you to hunt. But if you want this one so badly..." The soul, while still contected to the lantern by it's tail, came out, swirling through Thresh's claws as he spoke in a taunting manner. "Come back in a decade or two and I'll gladly give it back."

[shimmerbeasts]

Seeing the chain warden pull the soul into his magical lantern, turning the life essence, she had spent a whole month ageing into just the right flavour, from her characteristic icy blue into a sickly green caused Ahri's thick tail to split up into its nine slimmer cousins. Her pelt, normally so sleek and elegant, grew touselled as it bristled up. Even her legs and lower arms looked thicker as the black pelt stood up.

Normally, Ahri would be careful with how much she distorted herself, especially near a potential meal, however, given that Tresh had just kidnapped her dinner made any attempt at deception pointless. Ahri had to resist the impulse to fully drop on all fours, however, she sated the urge by at least being hunched over, claws flexing, fur bristling to the point even her hair looked poofier and untamed, and growling at Tresh.

"That essence was mine! I prepared it for a month, Tresh! You do not just get to swoop in and steal my dinner!" Ahir held open a clawed hand with blackened fur and worn-down pads. Flexing her fingers, she demanded: "Hand it over! Now!"

"You see that soul? it's mine I got it first. Haha."

@shimmerbeasts

[shimmerbeasts]

Caitlyn's growth manifested itself in a multitude of ways. Outside of her physical appearance, her maturity of character and her proficiency with a rifle, the most noticeable detail was how resilient she had become towards Ahri's allure. Of course, she was not completely immune - no one was -, but she was fighting it more. Ahri could feel it and while her expression remained as open and friendly as ever, for a couple of foreboding seconds, her eyes blackened in discontent.

It seems I am going to have to remind my little stepping stone who is really in charge here.

When Caitlyn confirmed not just Ahri's suspicion that she was partly snow leopard, but also how she remembered that indeed Ahri did not target the adults in her hunts, the vixen smiled, her ears swivelling, which gave her a mischievous and playful aura, yet her eyes were not smiling along.

"Such a clever girl", Ahri complimented Caitlyn

Partner. The word caused the beginning of Ahri's tail to bristle. However, she merely wound it tightly around her calves and pushed her white cloak firmly around herself. Her head lowered as she clenched her jaw hard before she relaxed her muscles and said in her syrupy-sweet voice: "Of course, my dear."

As they stepped out of the alley, Ahri wrapped an arm comfortably around Caitlyn's shoulder, all the while wearing a kind, yet serene smile. It did not take long for them to meet up with who had to be Caitlyn's partner. A muscular, strong woman with dark magenta hair and startling green eyes. While Caitlyn spoke with this Vi, Ahri tightened her grasp just a touch upon her shoulder and leaned against the young detective; all the while she refused to take her eyes off Vi, smile widening, silently daring this so-called partner to do something.

Even as Caitlyn finally led her away from this little competitor, Ahri could feel the mistrustful and uncertain gaze on the back of her neck. Good. That little partner of Caitlyn's better realised that she had to stay in her lane. The detective was hers! As long as Ahri was in Piltover, nobody whom she did not want, was allowed to get near Caitlyn. Her fingers drew little circles upon Caitlyn's knuckles as the girl finally seemed to have fallen back into her lure. Indeed as the questions turned towards her and exclusively her, Ahri relaxed properly and gave a playful ruffle through Caitlyn's hair as if they were two best friends who were checking up on each other after a long absence.

Ahri said: "Oh, I found a ship, which had docked in the harbour of a little town in the Freljord. They were very gracious to allow a young maiden like me passage on their boat."

The Captain and his crew had been a welcome, little snack; the memories of their childhoods were more than enough to sustain Ahri during the long journey. They had entered Piltover a couple of hours ago, in the early morning. Though the Captain looked like he had aged significantly during the long trip, his hair had become white, while his first mate could no longer remember his dear sister having died in infancy. The crew too had gaps in their memories of childhood; especially the young men seemed to be incapable of coordination, leaving them stranded in the City of Progress.

Shrugging off her cloak, Ahri tossed it onto the hanger in the bureau. With swift and decisive steps, she made her way over towards the couch, Caitlyn had so graciously offered her. Her thick tail unfurled into its full majesty of nine tails, glistening like freshly fallen snow; and Ahri sat down on the couch, politely crossing one leg over the other. Her kimono rustled around her hip, the long, silken, red sleeves adding warming splots of colour with their white boundary and the beautiful, dark belt, complexly woven thread caressing her skin. Ahri's black bang fell over her face in a way, which just concealed her false eye enough to not be unsettling.

Pink lips pulled into a sensible smile and her ears swivelled forwards as she gave Caitlyn her full attention. Ahri said: "Your choice of tea is quite alright by me." Blackened hands with long, sharp claws picked up the offered mug without leaving so much as a scratch on the porcelain. Ahri sipped at the cinnamon chai tea and her eyes glowed a warm gold. She smiled and licked her lips. "Sweetheart, this tea is excellent. Though certainly, we could have a little snack to go with it, don't you agree, Caitlyn?"

　⊰ ⸻ ⊱　There laid the curious question of why, but Caitlyn wasn't going to question either. She doubted Ahri truly was here for the man she just hunted down and Caitlyn was so far out of childhood that she didn't think Ahri would be after her 'unclaimed soul' she didn't take years ago. Even now, she could not forget that fated day the fox woman had managed to gain entry into the house. Her father had told her stories of Ahri, of Vesani, and to always be wary.

She never thought she would come face to face with the creature herself.

A shiver ran along her body, the touch held the same allure she felt as a child though she did try to fight it this time. She had been on a mission, and yet the ghostly touch drew her in as she let out a smile at the compliment. She glanced down toward the pelt upon her shoulders and then the motion of her fangs on her mouth. "It is," How curious, the fact there was frost upon her, like the snowy mountains the leopards were found in Ionia. Her feet took a few steps back as she inspected the dead body. Her movement held such an otherworldly touch; she looked at this world but there was no mistake: Caitlyn knew she wasn't part of this realm. A creature of mass power and she could easily destroy anything she touched if Ahri wanted to. Piltover would have no power to stop her, not unless they found a way to restrain the demoness. Not that Caitlyn wanted that, the stories proved what happened to those who tried to control a creature like her.

"No, you don't," Caitlyn nodded, showing she remembered; she knew her nature. The draw to the vastly-looking woman gripped at the corner of Caitlyn's mind, like a lure that was difficult to fight. She knew what was happening, a feeling she remembered as a little girl though then she couldn't fight it. She was inexplicably drawn to the fox but despite that, she could still tell something was happening that no one else noticed. A dead dog, the first dead body of the youngest girl of the three sisters, the way the other dogs retreated, even the air in the room started to change and felt cold and filled with dread.

"Give me just one minute, I need to tell my partner I took care of the problem," She said and glanced over toward her body.

  After about ten minutes, Caitlyn returned to the mouth of the alleyway and reached out to take Ahri's hand. She placed Ahri's arm around her own and led her out of the alley. Ahri's allure held grips like ivy vines but Caitlyn was able to resist enough to be able to speak with Vi before returning. "We can stop by my Bureau, it's closer than the mansion,"

Caitlyn patted Ahri's hand as she walked next to her, guiding her out of the alleyway and through the small crowds that were slowly breaking away during the evening period. Briefly, she thought about the dead body lying in the alley but just quietly noted internally that the enforcers would take care of it. She never cleaned up messes, they did that. She took care of problems, and that was one problem marked off.

"How did you arrive at Piltover?" Caitlyn asked curiously, as she led her back to the two-story building of her own near The Bridge of Progress. The building had a modest title on the window that said "Kiramman's Detective Bureau". She led her inside, closing the door behind her as she waved her hand toward a comfortable couch. "I hope you don't mind cinnamon spice chai, I tend to have a preference for that," Fingers put on the kettle onto a little portable stove to heat the water as she placed a couple of cups on a tray with sugar and milk included. The hissing of the kettle ran as she picked it up and then moved over to a table and set it down to pour Ahri a cup and then herself.

[shimmerbeasts]

Ahri ever so briefly gazed in the direction of the cabin, the girl indicated with a brief gesture. Underneath her hood, her ears twitched. Once every while, the fox Vastaya came across children, who had been forced to grow up all too quickly. It was harder to appeal to their sense of wonder as the world had hardened them. This girl seemed to be one such case. She was deeply familiar with the supernatural. Ahri would have to be careful.

"I understand", Ahri said, choosing not to dwell on the subject matter for too long. The more lies you added to the card house, the more you risked its collapse. The vixen gave a sanguine smile and bopped her head in what seemed a respectful bow. "I appreciate you pointing me towards a lodging."

She massaged her cheek as if her teeth were still aching as the girl spoke of general pain medicine as opposed to toothache medicine. The vixen murmured off-handedly: "Yes, yes, that should be fine too."

Her tail flicked irregularly behind her legs. Ahri's base was bristling. This was not going how she had wanted it to. When she had found the sleepy village at dawn, she had hoped for an easy lair and pickings. However, it seemed she had not just found some sleepy village but the home of at least one witch too. And that witch's brats were far smarter than her usual prey.

Well, if those children thought themselves so very clever, then Ahri would just have to be a bit more persistent in her hunt. She had played the long game before plenty of times, and she had hunted in places of mages called home before. This was just the first time, her prey also happened to be a witch's child. Ah, well, a hunter was never good if there was not a single challenge once in their long life.

Reaching inside her cloak, Ahri pulled out a pouch, which was bloodied on its bottom. It had belonged to some wayward traveller or another. Ahri could not even remember his childhood memories anymore. They had not been particularly worth remembering, though, they had been enough to keep her going. Clawed hands peeled open the pouch and reached into it.

Ahri dropped a handful of foreign-looking coins into the girl's hand. She said: "Yes, I do want to take this potion. Thank you very much." With a polite smile, she plucked the potion from the girl's hand and went on her merry way. That night, not only did something raid the chicken coops but also killed all the dogs in the village. Eyewitnesses claimed to have seen a pack of foxes, prowling the streets, which was rather unusual as foxes normally did not hunt in villages.

With a father who bore the title of hunter, a former killer of beasts, and her mother a seasoned sorceress, Emilia was not easily tricked. 'Their smiles may deceive, their words may beguile, but they are not always allies nor devoid of malice,' her mother's warnings lingered in her thoughts. She would repeat the same words of wisdom each time she left the children under Emilia's charge. Not that she enjoyed the duty of overseeing her younger brothers.

At least 'Irah' did not feign humanity. "If you want to talk to her, you can come back in a few hours. It should not take long for her to come back." Emilia spoke with directness, though her words held no truth to them. Serena's return would not be until two more nights, and her father's absence would be even longer. "If you wish, there is an empty cabin a few miles from here. You can wait there. It has a bed and belongs to no one in particular. Hunters use it to rest, as do wanderers."

The praise for her mature conduct and skill did inflate her ego somewhat, eliciting a warmer smile from the young sorceress. "I am. Still, aching teeth are not my specialty. I may have a potion for general pain though. Would that help until Mother is back?" No, she would not allow the Vastaya entry, nor would she keep her waiting unduly. The potion stood readily bottled for the day her siblings might require it. Cillian, especially, was prone to mishaps in his attempts to copy his elder sister's exploits.

"Emi, who is that?" inquired the middle child, seeking refuge behind the wall to the right of the door. Until then, Emilia had been avoiding letting the outsider know their names. "One of Mother's clientele," she replied in a hushed tone, directing her words to the boy beside her. Though the air was thick with potent magic, only Emilia seemed attuned to its pulse. Her brothers remained neutral, displaying no signs of sharing in her gift. "So, will you take the potion or not?" Her words held no malice, but rather a desire to shut the door and shield her siblings from 'Irah's' influence.