Vaguely Familiar... [CLOSED, Rei Inari]

[Geno Garon]

The farmer's market was bustling with activity. Peddlers of all kinds of renewable food cluttered the streets and alleys near the local square. Fresh fish and dried meats filled the air with their unique aromas. Vegetables and fruits were stacked in bushels and crates to be poked, squeezed, and fondled before purchase. Mongers of all sorts plied their wares in aggressive fashion.

It was here, around noontime, that Geno was shopping. Though it was not really suited for the task, Geno was using his duffel bag for haul around a sizable selection of produce, poultry, and pork. He'd been browsing for close to an hour now, which had turned out to be an excellent opportunity to people-watch. Geno was beginning to get a feel for the kind of person who lived in Death City. Though he did not know how, he knew that certain characteristics of people just weren't normal. Sharpened teeth, unnatural eyes, and every once in a while, a limb that looked like the business end of a weapon.

Must be the weapons Nova was telling me about. I didn't know they could partially transform... I wonder if Meisters have any visual giveaways like that... Geno thought to himself, before his eyes caught something hadn't expected, even given Nova's warnings...

[Rei Inari]

The marketplace was just as busy as any other day, vendors lined the streets of Death City, the smell of food filled the air, and there were people scattered all around. The citizens always seemed to crowd around certain carts and stands as they pushed and shoved each other to get what they wanted.

Despite the farmer's market being loud and noisy and filled with obnoxious buyers, Rei made this place her usual hang out spot. She enjoyed casually leaning back against a wall and watching all the unique residents of Death City pass by. Occasionally, she would take pleasure in slipping her hand in one of the by passer's pockets, to her stealing was too much fun, it was simply a game.

The clock struck noon, and on cue Rei's stomach began to growl and rumble. The scent of fish, vegetables, fruit, and fresh meat, especially the meat, didn't help her fight off her hunger. She flipped up her black hood, concealing her fox ears, and headed down the street and towards a fruit vendor. As she drew closer she slipped her hand out from inside her oversized sleeve and snatched a peach from the stand. Rei smirked in confidence as she passed by the stand knowing she succeeded and excited to ea- that's when she felt him. A large hand gripped her wrist tight and before she had time to think the man violently whipped her around to face him. 'Shit..' she said to herself as beads of sweat began to run down her face. She was caught

[Geno Garon]

"You'd better be able to PAY for that..."

The burly voice tickled Geno's ear, even over the din of the tightly-packed square. He looked up, away from a colorful stand of flowers and across the crowded marketplace, and that's when he first saw... her...

Draped in a black cloth hooded shirt and scattered sleeves, leggings, and a skirt, Geno watched for just a moment as the diminutive girl was grabbed by the large, tanned merchant standing next to his fruit stall. He spun her around roughly, her short white hair whipping out from the hood slightly, and in her pale blue eyes was a look of abject horror. Geno narrowed his own eyes; no matter what this girl had done, she didn't deserve to be abused this way. Geno began working his way through the crowd, brushing past strangers and wedging in-between buyers and carts. Ahead of him, the drama unfolded. The girl with the white hair attempted to squirm away from the man's grasp, but his massive, callused hand would not give.

"NO ONE steals from MY cart!" the man bellowed menacingly, practically growling and gritting his teeth. His thick Southern accent bristled with aggression. He raised his free hand away from his head and high, preparing to strike his captive thief. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE PENALTY IS FOR STEALING?!?" His open palm came sailing down towards the struggling girl...

...And just before impact, Geno stepped in between the blow, catching the open palm in his hand with considerable effort, at which point Geno began what he did best; talk fast.

"Thank you kind sir, I'm so glad you found her..." Geno spoke, his voice oozing with gentle sarcasm and imaginary gratitude. He brought the man's hand down and, in one swift motion, turned what would have been a slap into a handshake to further sell the man on his thankfulness. By now, the fruit-monger had released the young girl, who was just as stunned as the farmer at this bizarre interruption. Geno turned to the girl, turned her away from the merchant and began walking her away. "I've been looking all over for you," he began loudly, then leaned into the girl's ear and whispered, "...just play along..."

The fruit merchant grasped Geno by the shoulder from behind. Apparently he wasn't quite done yet, unsatisfied with being left with nothing.

"You... KNOW this girl?"

"Sadly yes, she is my sister. She's a little crazy... when it comes to stealing things..." Geno finished in almost a muttering tone, having felt something going on in his pocket, and as both he and the merchant turned and watched, the young girl was slipping some money out of Geno's pocket. She had it fully in her hands when she looked up, saw both of them craned around and staring at her, and instinctively hid the bills behind her back. Geno gingerly reached back behind Rei, snagged one of the bills she was trying to hide, and handed it to the merchant.

"Tragic, isn't it? WELL, no harm done. Now come on 'sis', it's time to go get you some lunch." Geno began leading the girl away from the merchant before he became too suspicious, but led Rei just a little too close to a meat cart. Right as she reached over to grab a choice steak, Geno steered her away.

"No no no, not THAT one..." Geno muttered, wondering exactly what he had gotten himself into.

[Rei Inari]

'What in the hell did I get myself into?' she asked herself.

Less than ten minutes ago she was minding her own business just grabbing some lunch and now she was being escorted by some stranger that's calling her his sister. What, did he think she was too weak to handle herself? Or maybe he thought he saw an easy helpless girl to prey on. Well I sure as hell won't fall for whatever he’s up to..

Rei pushed her hood to the side to get a good look at her new found companion. He was tall... well sort of.. he had golden blonde hair that was cut short and messy with bangs falling in front of his light blue eyes. She brought her eyes lower to examine his clothing... he had on a long white trench, long white pants, some skirt looking thing attached to his pants, and... what appeared to be woman's boots..? She shook her head at the young man as they continued their long, silent, awkward walk down the market row.

A few blocks down the road he stopped in front of a fancy looking cafe and gestured her to join him inside for that meal he mentioned. Rei shot him a look from under her hood; she was still suspicious of his act of heroism earlier at the fruit stand. She just rolled her eyes and shrugged it off; a free meal is nothing to complain about.

Inside, blondie chose a nice small table in front of a large window surrounded by all types of plants and pretty bright flowers. Rei jumped up onto the chair and brought her knees up to her chest hugging them tightly. The young man sat down across from her and picked up the menu placed on the table to select his meal. She picked up the menu as well holding it in front of her face. She skimmed it quickly... everything looked like squiggles... she remembered she didn't know how to read...

She let out a large sigh. 'This… is going to be a long lunch…'

[Geno Garon]

Geno sat eying the girl from behind his menu. She quickly held up the menu to cover her face. Geno smirked; she was holding it upside-down. However, she was holding it just a couple seconds too long for Geno to ignore the fact that she didn't spin it around. She was acting like she was reading it, but... Geno considered what exactly that 'but' might be. But... she was playing a joke? But... she was planning to bolt out the door? Neither of those seemed likely... but as Geno watched her more, he became less convinced that it was an act, or at least something she was doing intentionally. Geno paused. Could she not read the menu? Maybe she just couldn't see the menu. Perhaps she was farsighted, and couldn't read without glasses. Geno decided it was becoming too awkward of a silence for him to continue staring at her, and struck up a conversation.

"So... what's your name?"

Geno watched as the girl lowered her menu, met his eyes, and then shyly lowered her head to hide behind her menu again. While unbelievably cute, Geno was growing a bit worried. He hadn't heard the girl speak once, and was beginning to wonder if she could speak at all.

"...Do you live around here?"

Again, Geno was fishing for a response. He began to wonder if this girl would ever speak, but was interrupted by the waitress arriving at the table and offering drinks.

"Oh, I'll have your largest glass of orange juice, and..." he looked over at the so-far-mute girl, "..what did you want to drink, again?"

[Rei Inari]

'Orange Juice, really? Yuck, what a nasty tangy drin-... O-Oh! It's my turn to order...' She looked over the menu at the blonde boy sitting across from her who was just staring... waiting for her to order. She looked up at the waitress standing beside her, notepad in hand, and she too had a look of impatience on her face. Rei gestured the woman to come closer as she pulled her down towards her face behind the menu as she whispered her order into her ear. "Just plain water please..." she said softly as the waitress pulled her head up with a look of confusion plastered on her face. The young woman nodded, still confused. “I’ll return in just a few moments to take your orders.” Rei nodded back at the waitress with a smile.

She looked over at the boy who continued to stare strangely at her.
Rei bit her lip and looked down at her lap to avoid his awkward gaze. ‘This is just too uncomfortable, I have to talk to him eventually…' she said to herself. Rei folded her arms on top of the table as she lifted her head to look and directly into his eyes. “To answer your question my name is Rei, Rei Inari and yes you could say I do live around here.” she said with a smug tone and smirk on her face.

He seemed shock that she actually spoke to him, especially with that kind of attitude, he must of thought this was going to be a silent lunch date. Truthfully, Rei was relieved that the ice was broken, her stage of shyness was over and she could act like her usual playful self, who knows maybe this guy would be fun?

"So.. I told you my name, what's yours blondie?"
Before the man could answer her their waitress returned with drinks in hand and ready to take the orders. She placed the orange juice down in front of the blonde boy and the glass of water opposite side in front of Rei. Swiftly, she whipped out her _{handy dandy} notepad "So, what will you have today?" she asked politely looking over at the blonde boy. "I'll take a cheeseburger with a side of french fries and a pickle on the side if you please." He smiled at her as he handed over the menu while she wrote down his order. "Thank you sir, and what will you have ma'am?" she asked turning towards Rei. "Hmm... I'll take a big thick steak as red and bloody as you can make it." she smiled kindly and handed the woman her menu before taking her leave.

Rei turned back towards her new friend, still smiling "Now, what did you say your name was?"

[Geno Garon]

"Now, what did you say your name was?"

Geno was floored. What was once a mousy, quiet young girl sitting in front of him, so shy she couldn't even order her drink out loud, was now a snarky, brash young woman, confident and poised. Geno nearly shook his head vigorously to clear the confusion. This girl, Rei, was quite the oddity, even for this city. Geno took stock of what he knew about her.
*She was lifting produce from a merchant when they met.
*She fished his wallet out of his pocket not moments later.
*She ordered a steak more rare than he'd even consider eating.
*She had been rather timid before, but was now borderline aggressive.
This wasn't making a lot of sense to Geno at all... until he saw it. Swishing back and forth behind the corner of the table, a gray and black-tipped tail, like that of a fox, bushy as could be, flicked into veiw. Geno looked at it for a moment, unsure what to think. Was it attached to Rei? Was it... "hers"? How had he not seen it before? The market had been crowded, yes, and he hadn't stopped to check for fox tails, but still. Then, the realization hit him. Fox girl. It seemed to make the most sense of the odd behavior, the sneak-thievery, the bloody steak. And, Geno thought, given the strange persons who populate Death City, surely animal-people were not terribly uncommon.

Geno glanced up at Rei. She had noticed him looking at her tail, and had promptly wagged it out of veiw. Now it was Geno's turn to be timid. Was she ashamed of her animal qualities? Should he ask? Geno was near-speechless (which was quite an occurrence, given most times he could jump right in and ramble on for an hour). Geno took a long draw from the straw in his orange juice. All too soon, the glass was empty. They never have a big enough glass of OJ in these places, Geno thought, hoping that they forced pause would have given him something to talk about. But, what do you talk about with a girl you saved from getting caught stealing, and now suspected to be an animal? Oh, right...

"Ahh, sorry about that. Thirsty... Anyway, My name is Geno. I've, uhh... just arrived in Death City myself. Maybe you could..." Geno hoped he wasn't about to step on rusty nails, "...tell me a little bit about Death City? Maybe a little bit about yourself...?"

[Rei Inari]

(High five if you get the "Blondie" reference.)

Rei smiled and giggled at Geno, it was obvious he was taken back by her sudden change in personality. It was cute. Truthfully, this is how Rei was since her transformation, shy and mousy at first but the second she felt comfortable enough with someone she became herself, sarcastic, confident, and well… sly as a fox.

She leaned back in her chair using one hand as a headrest while the other twirled her snow white hair through her fingers under the dark hood she wore. “Well Blondie, I really don’t know too much about Death City, I haven’t exactly been here to long myself. Besides, all my time is spent in the marketplace. Unless of course you’re interested in the best stands and vendors to steal from?” she said giving him a sly smirk. It was pretty obvious he wasn’t the thief type, but she loved to tease.

Geno was about to make a comment on her silly little remark, but instead was interrupted by their waitress. She placed a thick, red, and bloody steak in front of Rei, to which her eyes lite up in delight, and a juicy burger in front of Geno. “Enjoy your meals; let me know if you need anything else, okay?” asked the waitress as she refilled Geno’s glass of orange juice. He proceeded to give her a “guy-nod” that said thank you. The waitress returned the nod with a smile and headed off to continue to work.

He turned his focus back to Rei who was devouring her meat like an animal… literally. She used her hands and teeth to rip apart the meat, it looked like using a fork and knife didn’t even cross her mind. It was strange enough for someone to order their food so raw that it’s soaked in blood, but now this? ‘I’m not sure whether I’m interested or disgusted…” Geno thought to himself. He just shook his head lightly and began eating his own food.

Rei leaned back in her chair again and let out a sigh of satisfaction as she gnawed on a bone and twisted it back and forth between her teeth. “So Blondie, you asked me about myself? Hmm… well there really isn’t much to tell you. I was born in California and eventually I found myself here in Death City.” At this point Rei looked down at her plate and her voice lowered, losing its sarcastic tone and fading into a sadder one. “I don’t have a home here I mainly hang around the market streets stealing food or drawing in the dirt, whatever I want really.”

She looked up at Geno again and smiled “It really is nice to have someone to talk to.”

(it's like 8am when I finally finished this, I apologize for the delay or any mistakes in the post.)

[Geno Garon]

“It really is nice to have someone to talk to.”

Geno pondered those words. They felt... right. As if they were some kind of sage wisdom uttered from the mouth of a babe. Geno closed his eyes for a short moment and mentally shook his head. Though he knew what he was trying to get at, that had been a poor choice of words. Rei was definitely not a "babe"... that term was crude and sexist on the one hand, and dismissive based on age on the other, and it rubbed Geno the wrong way. Rei was certainly not young... but she wasn't old either; at least not old enough to... well... old enough, Geno thought.

"You mentioned that you don't have a 'home'? When you moved here, didn't you come with friends, or family?" Geno asked, as he watched the youth's mood drop even lower than it had a moment ago. Uh oh, rough waters ahead... Geno grimaced and took another bite of his burger. The silence between the two was palpable. Geno briefly recalled Rei literally absorbing her steak. Flesh was the better term, Geno thought. The "meat" she had eaten had practically moo'd when it hit the table. There was almost no doubt in his mind now; this girl was an animal. Really. So... if that were the case... then where was her family? Or, more importantly... what?

[Rei Inari]

“Friends..? Family..?” she said in a monotone voice, as she bit her lip gently and proceeded to stare down at her empty blood stained plate. “Umm… no, actually, I came to Death City alone. I uh… really like to travel a lot… and stuff.” Rei was fidgeting in her chair the entire time, obviously nervous about something.
It seems Geno had struck a sensitive nerve.

Time passed, awkwardly, and both of them were now finished with their meals and ready to head out. Being the gentleman that he is, Geno rose from his chair and walked over to Rei extending his hand out to her in an act of chivalry. She looked at him, confused, but took his hand anyway as he helped her up from the chair. Her hand in his, Geno couldn’t help but notice something strange about her nails. They were longer than normal fingernails and pointy at the tips, almost like claws. There was no more question about it, Geno was thoroughly convinced Rei was an animal. Geno just shook his head and shrugged it off for now as he followed Rei to the counter and proceeded to pay the bill.

“So, Geno…” she began as they started walking out of the café and down the street again. “It’s been fun and all and thanks for the free food, but umm it’s getting late, and I’m sure you have important things to do and you want me out of your hair.” She stopped walking and turned to face him.

[Geno Garon]

"...I'm sure you have important things to do and you want me to get out of your hair."

Geno was initially surprised, but it faded just as quickly. While he had expected Rei to bolt as soon as they were out of the diner, this approach was just as bad. She had dodged his questions about her family and where she lived, and now she wanted to dodge him even further by charming him into letting her go. Geno wouldn't allow that. A girl like her shouldn't be alone out on the streets, animal or no. At the very least, he should make sure she had a decent place to live before leaving. He wasn't sure why, but something inside him was insisting that he not let Rei go just yet.

"Now Rei. I can't have you running off with that crazy fruit vendor on the loose. The least I can do is walk you home..."

"Ohh. No, I really...

"I really think I should...

"But but but."

"No buts." Geno was not backing down. Rei sighed.

"Okay... I'll let you walk me 'home'." Geno noticed the inflection she put on the last word. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he was about to see.

- - - - -

Rei led Geno though a maze of twisting streets until they finally arrived at a small, dead end alleyway. The darkest corner was littered with trash and tipped-over garbage cans, and a single tiny awning stretching out from a window provided the only cover from the elements. At first, Geno thought Rei was putting him on. This was just a distraction to get Geno off her back so she could go back to her real home by herself. But when Rei walked over to what could only be at best described as a sleeping "spot"; a small, dirty blanket on top of a flattened cardboard box, and sat down before looking up at him, the reality of things set in. This WAS Rei's home. The full weight of that realization settled on Geno's stomach, and he felt a mix of sadness and empathy. This poor girl was without a home, sort of like how he was without a past.

Geno shook his head and made up his mind. While he didn't have all that much, he knew, deep down, that he needed to help this girl. Geno held his hand out to Rei.

"This... this is no place for a girl like you. Come back with me to my home. You can stay there.

Rei looked hesitant. She glanced around her. Since she had come to Death City, this was likely all she had known, Geno thought.

"...I have steak at ho..." Geno started, before being pounce-tackled by a flying Rei. It was all he could do to keep his feet, and when he looked down, he saw the starry gaze in Rei's eyes.

"Alright alright. Let's go." Geno turned and walked Rei out of the alley. Everything was quiet and still for a moment, before Rei came barreling back into the alley, knocking over the one standing garbage can. She snatched up her blanket from its cardboard nest, and clutched it tightly as she scampered back out of the alley to catch up to Geno.

[Rei Inari]

Rei was so excited that she didn't even care that she stumbled over the trash can, after all the time she spent out on the streets she finally had a real place to call home.

Suddenly it hit her. In all this excitement she had forgotten to mention the secret, the one she kept tucked under an oversized hoodie and wrapped around her waist. Would he change his mind if he found out she was some half human half fox freak? Maybe he would get scared and run away? 'I have to tell him, I can't hide this forever.' she muttered under her breath.

"Geno, wait up." her voice was serious.

"Hmm..? What's wro-" he tried to ask, but was abruptly pulled back into the alley by his coat sleeve.

"Geno, I have to show you something. It's important and I don't think it can wait."

Little did she know that Geno already figured out her big secret back in the cafe.

"Rei, wait, I already wh-what are you..?!"

Before he could finish Rei was already in the process of removing her hoodie. Geno frantically tried to go over and pul it back down but it was too late. She whipped the hoodie from above her head and threw it violently to the ground, almost trying to be dramatic. She took a step back from him, her chest completely bare and exposed, this of course meaning nothing to her. A top her head sat two matching fox ears, snow white with black tips and behind her a matching tail swished back and forth.

She blushed lightly, scared of what he might think. "Well, Geno..?"

[Geno Garon]

"Rei, wait, I already wh-what are you..?!"

Geno had not expected such... forward... behavior from the young fox girl. She had begun reaching for her oversized hoodie, and Geno had not anticipated what came next. Rei grabbed hold of the bottom of her hoodie with crossed arms and pulled them up, bringing the hoodie with them. As her arms passed over her head, her bare chest was exposed, lily white in the sun. Just below her stomach, a snow white tail with a black tip unwrapped itself from around her waist, and swayed back and forth behind her. Freeing herself from her hood, Rei tossed the clothing aside, revealing her set of white fox ears, also with black tips at the ends. They flicked upward and twitched, finally free from the confining hood.

Geno stood, his mouth agape. While he had already presumed Rei had been a magic animal, this certainly confirmed it. Still, he had not even considered the idea that she would not be wearing something underneath her hoodie, and her 'reveal' had been more revealing than Rei may have known. Geno quickly surmised that Rei did not have much of a notion of human modesty, so exposing herself like this, to her, did not have the... explicit overtones.

Geno slowly approached Rei, his hands shaking a bit. When he got close enough, he put his hands on her shoulders. Her warm skin sent a shiver down Geno's spine, which he tried his best to conceal. He looked her in the eyes.

"Rei... I already knew. And it doesn't change anything. You're still welcome in my home, just..." he bent down a bit, snatched up the now-dirty hoodie up from the ground, and offered it to her. "Just try not to do this too often. It's... not as good idea." Geno smiled as Rei struggled back into the hoodie. She was certainly quite the companion, and heavan knew, Geno needed a friend just like her.

"Come on Rei, let's go home... but first, let's get you a few clothes. That hoodie looks like it's seen better days..." he said, as they both strolled out of the alleyway.