usagichronicles

[usagichronicles]

commission!!! I think this turned out really nice :)

[usagichronicles]

tricoloredillusion​:

Disappointed? Perhaps her name was way too obvious, matching with the style she was wearing, not only when it came to clothes, but also her hair. Despite being ruthless, it was obvious that the mute was stylish though, a fashionista of her own, even if she only crafted clothes for herself in her free time.

The intriguing thing of it all is that, for when Takane brought her attention back to the shorter woman to sign, the business card of the vampire would’ve disappeared, in a really soft glow of pink shards.

With a small smile, the girl had no problem in following to where the purse was. In fact, she was the first to gesture for them to go back, rather eagerly. Where this woman came out from was still a mystery, and even if Neo flinched her nose at some point, she kept playing it cool.

Maybe she could seduce the other through their similarities- it would be a pity if she tried finishing her too fast, no matter how hungry she may be.

There was uneasiness whenever being around her, but at the same time, those mismatched eyes of her were tempting for some reason. A certain charm and charisma that was hard to pinpoint.

Was it her personality alone? Or was there something else? It was difficult to tell.

There was a blink as Neo's card disappeared from Takane's palm, causing her mind to race while she moved towards the purse to retrieve it.

There was something otherworldly about Neopolitan, or perhaps supernatural. There were rumours in this city about supernatural events in the recent past, but they'd seemed just that, rumours. The way Neo moved, the allure despite Takane's wariness, which bid her to continue with Neo rather than run; on some level Takane recognised she wasn't acting quite like she should. Not enough to snap out of it and change her path, though.

For a second the vigilante also considered alerting attention to the dead, dying, or unconscious thugs -- then decided not to. They'd done terrible things, and she didn't want to risk arrest for their deaths.

Last but not least, as Takane wiped the blood on her staff off with a cloth, she considered not collapsing the staff and returning it to the purse; in case Neo attacked her. But carrying the staff through the street would be suspicious in and of itself.. Mulling it over, she elected to collapse it.

Hands free, Takane hefted the bag and pulled out of it a business card of her own, holding it down towards Neo. Though this was a more mundane card that wouldn't disappear.

'Hiraoka Takane,' the card said, listing phone, email, work address, the name of a well-known modeling agency. The card was on high quality print and professionally made. The model was no nobody that wouldn't be missed if she disappeared -- she was locally a minor celebrity, nationally a known name within fashion circles. Yet a woman like this was out here fighting merciless thugs, instead of sticking solely to life in the fast lane.

[usagichronicles]

twinfoxtails​:

“Really? Well… if you say so, as long as you don’t judge me, aha. But if you’re returning home tonight… well, I’m going to miss you, Masako. Mind if we speak in my room later?”

Finishing the ramen and collecting Masako’s and Satori’s bowl once they’re done, Eri then proceeded to wash all their plates before retiring for the night by going to his room.

“Actually, yes, just one. Miss Lady Kitsune, there is one question. If we were to look for you or call you over, how are we to contact you? As if we were praying to the gods, or with some kind of sacred ritual?”

And if it were the prayer method… would that mean that many other people pray to Masako as well?

To Eri's request, Masako gave an agreeing nod - she herself did intend to talk to him, having been thinking about what he'd asked for prior to dinner. But towards Satori, Masako smiled with a little amusement again. Unfortunately for Masako, despite all her understanding, questions like these had made her smile with amusement at the lack of information Satori was working with, it might come off as mildly condescending.

"I'm glad to say there's nobody sacrificing animals or praying in my name," Masako replied, "but this does make for a conundrum. I'll figure out a solution," a magical one most likely. Maybe she'll copy Eri's phone and make a magic version of it or something. "I'll come down and tell you it once I've got it. Sound good?" And there's the excuse to come back down later for a conversation, too.

[usagichronicles]

tricoloredillusion​:

Compared to someone who could’ve had problems with killing when showing hesitation, there was totally a lack of this one when Neo ended with the life of the man. What’s worse, by the small smile that grew on her expression after doing so, one could perfectly assume that she enjoyed doing so.

Going as far as to perhaps not even have appreciation of the life she just took, but there has been an air of superiority coming off her since she kicked the other thug previously.

Tilting her head to the side and finally stepping away from the pile of beaten men, the vampire cleared her throat slightly, innocently letting both of her hands hide behind her back before blinking. With that small gesture, her expression seemed to soften, almost innocently-so, and then, a question in sign language.

Not only reading the other’s signs, but also her eyes and soft nod, she could assume the woman was scared, but that was normal, wasn’t it?

Shaking the tension off her shoulders, Neo took a step closer to Takane, and after pulling out a hand from behind, she offered the vigilante a business card that now rested in-between gloved fingers.

A very formal way to present herself- shockingly so after she has taken a life with no problem.

This short woman was much more intimidating than a quartet of strong men that had tried to kill Takane. Even with her actions only being related to her heels, the vigilante could tell the other (not a friend, but perhaps not a foe?) was distinctly better in form and function than unfocused brute force. Takane had, quite simply, been thrown off her game and honestly didn’t know how to respond.

Only compounded by the fact she was handed a business card.

It took a second for the confused, blinking middle to take it, turning it over to read the name. In doing so she took her eyes off Neo briefly.

‘Neopolitan.’

The almost disappointed in herself surprise showed on her face.

“I could have guessed that,” Takane signed, slotting the card into the palm holding her staff to do so. The model was sure of one thing at least: Neopolitan here knew how to dye her hair, and make it look good.

Takane pointed towards the end of the alley, where she’d dropped a purse that Takane had been carrying (it had, among other things, carried the collapsible staff inside of it). She had her own business cards she could share. Also an opportunity to start getting away from this scene. Hopefully the city’s useless cops didn’t grow brains and investigate…

Of course, Neo might have other ideas.

[usagichronicles]

twinfoxtails​:

“No matter how much you say it, I’m still not used to it. I mean… the kind of people who say they’re ‘not from this world’ is either doing some kind of fantasy roleplay, like Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, the like… Yet the evidence is as clear as day that you really are a bone-fide kitsune.”

Especially Masako’s tails plain for her to see. Very tempting to go over and touch, but that’s a huge lack of manners right there.

“Hah, well even if I do say something, the world is grounded in 'realism’, where they would think you’re someone out in cosplay. But you can’t be too careful when people do bring you in for questioning.”

But that last part, Eri’s eyes lit up in wonder for a bit after he ate his ramen for a bit.

“I’m not sure if there are other kitsunes here, but there are kitsune shrines, so… maybe they’re in the form of spirits? How about I bring you around next time? Of course, you may need a human disguise…”

Masako would, after all, attract ALOT of attention.

“Oh, right! If I may ask, would you like to stay the night here again? Or do you have someplace else to be? If you’re staying behind, I guess I could help fix the bath up for you…-”

Along with talking about that request of his when no one’s hearing, but… there’s no rush in it, right?

Masako’s tails moved lightly in acknowledgment of her frankly undeniable appearance, perhaps a little playfully. She did tilt her head curiously though, a bit concerned actually, a concern she allowed to show on her face.

“You shall have to tell me what that is about later,” Masako remarked, before allowing the topic to move on, focusing on Eri.

“It may be best for me to return home tonight,” Masako replied. “But if you wish, before I go, I can speak to you privately. The same offer goes to you, Satori. A moment to perhaps air any worries aloud?”

[usagichronicles]

//Changed avatar to be Masako’s new art. By virtue of being unable to use a single piece of art for more than one icon, I’ll be continuing to use Amagi from Azur Lane as an FC -- but for all intents and purposes, Masako now has her own distinct look.

[usagichronicles]

tricoloredillusion​:

Now that she got a better look at the woman in front of her- wasn’t she a well-known model? In her free time -and surprisingly- Neo was pretty passionate when it came to fashion. A somewhat weird hobby for a vampire that got high on hurting humans, but that aside, the mute herself liked to tailor her own outfits when having the time to do so.

It wouldn’t have been all that strange for her to come across some of Takane’s works as a model, but if anything it was something she found amusing and nothing else.

Even more interesting was the fact that the other woman seemed to be indeed a mute as well, something that gained a grin from Neo not too long before one of the thugs tried to get back at the vigilante again.

Nothing that the other didn’t seem to be able to handle, but as soon as Takane’s eyes were off her and the thug was kicked again, the smaller woman jumped in a graceful and almost gymnastic kind of way, landing on the head of the thug that just tried to get back at the other’s ankle, and making sure that with this one, her heel would crush hard enough to go through his skull.

With another loud crack, the vampire removed her heel with strength after, taking a step to the side as well, and letting both of her gloved hands rest inside her coat’s pockets.

The scent of blood became even more noticeable for her now, but despite letting out a soft groan, she didn’t intend to assault Takane…not yet.

No thug was around Takane where she’d moved out of the way. If any of the rest woke up, they wouldn’t get an easy attack on her. Wait-- where’s...

Crack.

The next moment that Takane saw the well-dressed but dangerous woman, it was a heel smashing through a man’s skull. Even without the gruesome matter of what happened to his head, what with the way the body spasmed for an instant and went limp, it was not at all hard to see he was dead.

Takane had fought in ways that caused great bodily harm in the past. If she was disarmed she fought in the krav maga style, which largely depended on doing as much damage as possible with essentially anything she could get her hands on. That violence was especially prevalent in times when her adversaries tried to kill her. Takane couldn’t say with certainty that she hadn’t killed someone from the punishment she’d dealt out. Still, there was ambiguity. 

There was zero ambiguity over a caved in skull and a bloody heel, and the surprise at the brutal move was visible on Takane’s face. Frozen for a long moment, unable to break her eyes off of the sight, it took a lot of effort to look up at Neo’s eyes again. This time it was not just alert wariness putting the vigilante on guard, it was complete awareness that this stranger was very willing to kill.

Though Takane badly wanted to leave this scene, she didn’t want to turn her back on this dangerous woman, the intentions of which wasn’t yet quite understood. What with how fast Neo had moved, she was unsure she’d get a chance to defend herself in time if the woman attacked; especially if she turned away.

. . . The man had been trying to kill her. Yes, that had to be the reason for the merciless brutality. For this reason Takane gave Neo a slow, wary, but nonetheless thankful nod. Equally hesitantly, one of Takane’s hands left her staff again, and began to say in sign language a simple, “who are you?” 

[usagichronicles]

I commissioned art of my and @jinkako‘s OCs, Masako and Yua! The artist is Cardipeemf! Please go check out their works, they’re a lovely artist. They’re also on here as @cardipeemf.

[usagichronicles]

"Masako! Hey there, and Merry belated Christmas!" And here comes Eri with... a paper bag! "Sorry, contacting you is a bit hard but... here."

And Eri is giving Masako... Oh, it looks like a nice sundress with floral patterns on it! It's really light, and he figures Masako would like something easy to wear after wearing that kimono all the time.

Although it's a bit... small? Definitely one size smaller.

"I'm really not sure what size you have, so... I-I really hope it fits, aha-... But yeah, I really do hope you like it-"

Oh, my-- "it's a lovely gift," Masako murmured, looking at the dress with an admiring eye. Eri did have a good eye for women's fashion, she could say that much. 6

"Thank you, Eri," Masako said, her fan gently flapping a little. "I'm happy you've thought of me at all. I think you've got a good handle on my size." It was definitely something she'd wear, albeit perhaps not around Satsunai all that much.

...

And after she worked off a kilo or two of the holiday feasts...

[usagichronicles]

tricoloredillusion​:

Now that Neo could take an even better look at Takane, the woman walked closer, but came to a halt when finding herself with the bloodied thugs on the floor. Without much care, and with a pretty visible look of superiority, the vampire kicked the head of one of them, not hard enough to break the neck, but harsh to hear some kind of ‘crack’ inside their skull.

After doing so, the silent woman looked back up at the vigilante. Under the moonlight, one could swear the mute’s eyes were shining slightly, but it was hard to tell, it was a detail one would get distracted away from the moment that one of her gloved hands rubbed her own chin.

She was thoughtful, staring at the staff and the other woman with her own curiosity, and soon enough, Neo pointed at her lips and then made a small X with her fingers there.

Making it clear she couldn’t talk, if that’s what Takane was waiting for.

…it would be way too much of a coincidence if the other was too a mute, wouldn’t it?

Just outside of the range of her staff, Takane rose one hand into the universally known ‘stop’ symbol. One of the unconscious thugs was near that point -- and a swift, harsh kick followed. It was a rather sickening sound to hear the crack of the man’s skull, and it showed on Takane’s face with a small grimace. Not four minutes ago, however, Takane had broken the same man’s wrist to prevent him using a knife to stab her. Considering he’d absolutely tried to strike to kill, she couldn’t say there was much pity in her at the moment. Instead Takane simply held her ground. 

The vigilante was much taller than the interloper -- nearly forty centimetres taller, in fact -- but the small size didn’t make her any less of a threat in Takane’s eyes. After a lot of training and more than a dozen real street fights, the model was getting good at perceiving threats (for better or worse). The confident, superior woman in front of her almost radiated that danger.

Neo’s non-verbal response made Takane pause, with a visible look of surprise - before an amused smile and laughter. That is, the breathy laughter of someone who couldn’t use her vocal cords to make much sound. The slightly exaggerated motions of the body, practiced use of excessive body language to get across something she couldn’t physically say. How, odd, two mutes like this...

Well, perhaps the stranger knows sign language, but Takane wasn’t taking her other hand off of her staff. She made her own sign instead, pointing to Neo and then back to herself, a zipping motion over her lips. 

Then, Takane let out a hiss of alarm, as a hand gripped one of her ankles. 

One of the thugs had woken up, with her still in their midst. A guttural cry came from the man on the ground, one of the fallen knives in his other hand, coming around to try to stab into her thigh. Her body was already moving, however, from the instant she felt a grab on her ankle; the staff came around, catching the thug’s inner elbow painfully and making him drop the knife again. She wrenched her ankle out of the man’s grip, taking a defensive step to the side.

But all this got her eyes off of Neo, her focus on the direct threat, however weak it was. 

[usagichronicles]

tricoloredillusion​:

The scent of blood itself is what lead the vampire here in the first place. Usually, she doesn’t like other vampires coming around her territory unless they are friends. On the other hand, witnessing humans beating humans wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence in these parts of the city.

It was amusing how they got in conflict with each other too. Sometimes it left behind ‘leftovers’ and easy prey, even if the mute’s style often had her preferring to get her own food.

Now in one of the many alleys of the street, Neo would’ve been observing Takane from above one of the buildings, but it was only once the other woman was finished with her own fight that the vampire silently got herself to her level.

Standing at a decent distance between the pile of beaten thugs and the stranger, the sinister creature chuckled softly to herself, something not even hard to hear when silence was now all there was.

But she didn’t say anything, instead observing Takane in silence to make her own presence finally known.

The vigilante’s breathing calmed, and the adrenaline ebbed. The thugs she’d fought with were all unconscious, bruised and bloody on the ground. She was utterly silent besides her breathing, until she heard somebody’s quiet laughter.

Instantly, Takane tensed up, her head whipping up from looking at the thugs to the woman in the alleyway. Very quickly, Takane glanced up and down the stranger. Mismatched eyes, multicoloured hair... a good fashion sense.

A very confident stance.

Takane held her bloodied wooden staff with both hands, in a defensive posture. She wasn’t sure who this was, why she was here, but neither was Takane going to attack on sight. She wasn’t one of the thugs at her feet.

But where most people would speak up right now, challenge the sudden stranger’s appearance verbally... Takane did not. She simply tilted her head slightly, in a curious manner, eyes narrowed in both question and alert.

[usagichronicles]

Quiet Vigilantism 

@tricoloredillusion​

On occasion, Takane reflected on her work, especially when a thug actually managed to get a shot in on her. Why was she a vigilante, actually? The topic came up again as she wiped blood from the corner of her mouth.

By day, Takane was a fashion model, and a popular one at that. She adorned the covers of a number of magazines for a reason. She had no need to do anything risky like this to make a living, nor did she take money for it anyway. So, why?

Because it was doing something about the rampant levels of violent crime that the police weren’t doing anything about. Muggings and various types of assaults; the proliferation of illegal weaponry or narcotics; organised crime by groups that resembled mafia or yakuza types; it was all here. She was a vigilante because by her hand - or staff, usually -- thugs who didn’t hesitate to hurt people could feel a very real physical punishment for dong it. And...

... Because Takane found it fun. She couldn’t deny it, the adrenaline rush of the danger, the good feeling when she saved someone’s life or good health. 

The last part in particular is why she’s in this particular alleyway, blood dripping down her hardwood staff, a quartet of battered thugs unconscious around her. The person these thugs were threatening had elected to run away, at some point. Takane’s hard panting was slowing. Except for the one shot to the face, she herself was unharmed, any bladed weaponry quickly knocked out of hands with the long reach of her staff. Still, that was going to bruise - best not taking any modelling jobs for a few days...

After a moment to calm, Takane supposed it was perhaps best for her to leave too. But before she could go...

[usagichronicles]

twinfoxtails​:

“F-For… E-Eh?! A-Are you sure, Masako? I-I mean, my mom and my sister will find out that I’m having girls’ clothes, and that’s a bit…-”

Eri, you already have your idol concert outfit, and your mom and sister most likely knows by now. But yes, it was a great trip!

But ah yes. Dinner. While the both of them are waiting for the udon at the microwave, 

“… Hm. It’s just my size, and extremely comfortable too. Thank you, you two. But ‘handmade products’, you say? Masako, do you have any idea what kind of thread this is using? It doesn’t feel like anything used here, unless I’m just imagining things.”

And there, the udon’s done! Satori went to the microwave, dragged two bowls out, and… there we go.

“Again, I did my best to copy your recipe before, and while I’m still nowhere your level of culinary, I did my best, so… ha, I guess that matters, right? Here you go, you two, eat up.”

Serving the both of them their meal, Eri thanked his mother before eating it, and… wow, it’s actually really good!

“Thank you very much, mom! But yes, as Masako said, we’ve been to a store which sells handmade products! We’ve also been to her house, the town, her park…”

“… the hot springs.”

“…?”

If they were in the hot springs, surely it’s split, right?… Ah well. Satori’s going to turn to Masako now.

"I’m curious but… Are there any other kitsunes besides you? It’s safe to say that you’re the only real one anyone has seen, but… you’re putting yourself at a big risk showing yourself like this. If I, or Orin, were to take a camera and snap a picture of you, they’ll be hunting for you, you know? Humans are not as kind as one might believe. They’ll lock you up in a lab, experiment on you, among other things.”

“… Umm… You do know what I’m saying, right?”

Just worried in case Masako comes from a traditional setting, she has no idea what a ‘camera’ or a ‘lab’ is-

The ancient kitsune settled in to eat, and she was pleased to find the recipe she’d left behind was actually being used. It was a good showing by Satori, even. Masako, like Eri, made sure to thank the woman for her effort. The same smile on her face, though, was one that was unconcerned about risk.

“The answer to the scarf’s material and your worries are related, Satori,” Masako said with a calm tone. “I’m not of this particular world. The scarf comes from my hometown of Satsunai - which itself resides... elsewhere. We do have cameras there, if not as advanced as your own.” She was somewhat a traditional, country person - but not that much of one.

If anything now, Masako’s smile turned into one of amusement.

“As for your concern... Should I be worried? I’ve placed my trust in such a secret to you and yours. I hope it’s not misplaced.” The tone she adopted was a bit of a teasing one. “There are other kitsune where I came from, and it’s not abnormal to see them. I’m sure there are other kitsune here -- your child’s knowledge of them shows they likely exist -- but I don’t know for sure myself.”

[usagichronicles]

Skadi's birthday moments always include something that makes it seem more scary than it really is.

Like her looming over a barely awake Grani at some untimely hour of the day, offering something for Grani to take before simply leaving.

She's most likely going off to hunt, something that needs to be done, but she did make time to give a little horse something nice.

Its a whistle, its a whistle that mimics some sounds of the Aegir tongue that most can't do themselves, and that most can't even hear.

But now Grani has this little whistle, and with the right tune, with the instructions provided, she can 'sing' the words 'Thank you' in Aegir tongue. Its mostly just a hum of the words being said, but its a start.

Grani seriously wasn't sure for a moment whether Skadi's shadow was Skadi or the Skadi-Shaped Sleep Paralysis Demon again, but the presence of a gift left behind pointed signs to the former.

"I wish she could stay around more," Grani murmured to herself, looking at the whistle in her hand. But she smiled all the same, a little small smile.

She may never truly know Skadi's language herself... But this could help.

Later that day, after the party (Skadi's absence noted, but excused by Grani's insistence), Grani headed to Rhodes Island's top decks. The sea could be seen off in the distance, just barely, off the port side.

"Well, Skadi -- I hope you hear this...!"

It was a low hum, just enough for Grani to hear it. For Aegir it was probably horrifically mangled. But it was, nonetheless... Grani's thank you to Skadi. For everything she's brought to Grani's life; both good or ill, Grani cherishes it indeed.

[usagichronicles]

"Happy birthday Grani! I got you this commemorative Margaret Nearl championship water bottle (previously used)!"

The kuranta looked up at the voice of her commander, with visible surprise - then visible glee.

"It's the one from the 1085 special championship! I've got that one on tape! I mean. I've got them all on tape. But that one's special, yaouw see, 'cuz it says special! Thanks, Doctor!"