The Hunted Fox

[kitsunenokoi]

Time: 1:00pm
Date: August 11
Place: New York, New York
Status: Open

Mmmm… New York. The place was a positive cesspit at times, and sometimes a jewel of culture, but something it always was, was teeming with life. And the more life, the more humans, the easier it was to slip unnoticed among them. They had this charming habit of staring at their feet as they walked in this city too. Or if they looked up, they made sure never to make actual eye contact, or stare around themselves. For that matter, that’s how you could tell the tourists from the natives… the tourists were interested in what was going on around them, the New Yorkers were interested in not stirring the predators.

Kamui chuckled quietly to himself and leaned against the brick wall of the building he stood next to. He had no idea where he was, other than somewhere in New York City, and had no idea where he was going. He was just enjoying a moment to breathe relatively freely. Of course, that free breath would cost him a coughing fit if he inhaled too deeply… Well, there was no use in dwelling on the downside. With this much humanity surrounding him, he was bound to be able to lose himself at least for a few weeks. Perhaps get a breather. Those thrice-cursed scientists had nearly caught him in Seattle. But here… surely he could get a chance to rest. There were so many illegal immigrants getting jobs under the table. That meant a job wasn’t out of the question. And a job meant money. And money meant food, shelter, and a chance to get a head start at keeping away from the scientists. Maybe even get new set of forged documents to hide behind for a little longer. Humans and their bureaucracies. It seemed sometimes like the entire species was trying to drown itself in paper. And poke their noses into everyone else’s business. Like they didn’t have enough to keep track of in their own lives.

But that was a puzzle and worry for another time. Right now, food was foremost on the list of needs. It had been three days since his last real meal. Kamui scratched at his scalp. He hated being in full-human form. It made his ears and tail, or where they were supposed to be, itch sometimes. But with this many people on the streets, if he hid behind an illusion, someone was bound to step on his tail or something like that. Kamui crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the passing humans, idly turning over ideas in his head. Which trick should he use next? The poor-helpless-child trick was a classic and almost always got a good reaction…

[kitsunenokoi]

Time: 6:30 am
Date: August 16
Place: Grand Central Station, New York
Status: Open

Ugh. It was too damned early. Kamui stifled a yawn and leaned against a convenient wall, rubbing at his eyes. Morning usually wasn’t this much of a problem, but he’d stayed out quite late the prior night. Friday night was a party night, which meant plenty of drunks, and that meant plenty of easy targets staggering out of bars. Kamui had milked the opportunity for all it was worth, moving from bar to bar to avoid becoming too noticeable, and staying at it until two in the morning.

New York had been good to him. From the very first day, he’d gotten enough to stay in a nice, middle-class type of hotel. Not a dive, not too expensive (and therefore flashy). The hotel manager was convinced that Kamui was a middle-aged business man, here from Ireland on a sales trip. Faking the Irish accent was fun. A quick swipe of his mental-illusion brush made him a little bit taller, slightly balding, but otherwise clean cut, conservative, and utterly unremarkable.

He’d staggered into his room at three in the morning, and then was up again at five to head to Grand Central Station. He didn’t know how much time he had in New York, before THEY caught up to him again. He couldn’t afford to waste even a few hours. Not with such a ripe plum as this city was. If he was modest with his spending, and continued to rake in the loot like he was, he’d have a nice cushion of money with which to flee to the next city. So, here he was, with too little sleep, watching the crowds of tourists meander through Grand Central Station. This place was so busy, and the tourists so thick… the kitsune couldn’t help the grin and soft chuckle. Today was going to be another red-letter day.

Kamui checked the nearest reflective surface to make sure his illusion was in place. With this little sleep, he was more likely to make mistakes, and mistakes could be costly. Check, double check, and check again was the rule. Now… which plump wallet would be his next acquisition?

[thebard]

Rowan felt like he was the most crafty Bard in all of... of... Barderdom...? Well, regardless, he had used his ability to sing a sweet song of forgetfulness to the guards at the entrance of the Bureau to sneak out of the complex. After the night he just had, it was no surprise to him that a mere three hours of sleep was enough for him before he was up and out of bed. Eager to find the perfect gift for Ty, Rowan figured the best place to look was in New York City... and what better way to do it unnoticed would be to sneak out and come back with surprise in hand. "Preferably gift wrapped," Rowan said to himself as he rode the River Train from Trenton to New York City, the lights of the metropolis filling the horizon as he came nearer and nearer to his destination.

Within forty-five minutes, the train was pulling into Grand Central Station, and Rowan stumbled out with wide, unbelieving eyes. He had only been into Trenton a few times in his whole life. The massive city of New York was in itself daunting, but all the people crammed into Grand Central was almost to much for the once all-to-shy Rowan to handle. Maybe coming into the city wasn't the best idea now that he thought about it.

"No... this is for Ty," Rowan reminded himself as he stood in the middle of the busy station, people muttering angry remarks at the stationary boy as they brushed rudely past him. Their remarks didn't even phase him, though. The thought of Ty smiling as more then enough to urge Rowan onward. "And to think I may actually get a full mouth smile with the perfect gift!" Roan giggled.

Then, as Rowan began to make his way for the stairs, he let out a startled gasp as someone grabbed the hoof of his hoodie and pulled him into a dark alcove leading towards a janitorial access door. Struggling as he choked, Rowan tried to get himself free, but his arms were pinned to his side. "Look at this fa**ot!" said a pale skinned, brutish looking man with a missing front tooth and a mean disposition. "Let's see if his mommy gave him any milk money!"

Rowan's yes widened with fright as he looked about him at the three punk vagabonds held him captive. They were going to take his money and he had only been in New York for five minutes?!

[kitsunenokoi]

Kamui grinned to himself as he picked out the blonde boy from the crowd. He had wide-eyed-hick written all over him. He was staring around Grand Central Station as if he’d never seen such a large, bustling building in his life, and getting jostled by just about every person passing him… and not so much as blinking or checking to see if he’d been pick-pocketed. He hadn’t… Kamui had been watching… but he was positively juicy as far as targets went.

He started eeling his way through the crowd, and then paused suddenly frowning. What the…? Three street kids had beaten him to the mark and dragged the boy off to a side hallway. Talk about less-than-subtle. Kamui wrinkled his nose in disgust at the amateurism. They could at least have enough pride in themselves to TRY for some style. It rubbed the kitsune wrong to lose such a nice mark to such a wretched crew.

Rolling his eyes, Kamui switched his disguise for another one, and made his way through the busy crowd. A sudden idea had him switching the business suit he was imitating for a police officer uniform. Complete with shiny New York badge. He made himself taller, swarthier, and gave his hair military style buzz.

Coming up to the entrance of the little alcove, Kamui pitched his voice into as low a rumble as he could manage, “Is there a problem here, gentlemen?”

[thebard]

The three boys froze when the police officer came up, their eyes wide with fear as hey looked up at the man. "Um... um..." stammered one as the other two released Rowan without blinking, who instantly hid behind the officer very much like he would have done with Typhon if he were there. "We... we were just talking to him... you know, welcoming him to the big city."

"They were NOT!" Rowan spat incredulously, only to hide behind the officer again when the biggest of the boys shot him a venomous glare. "They were going to rob me!"

"No we weren't!" Argued the second boy, equally as vulgar looking as the first, grinning at Rowan with a look in his eyes that promised a beating to the smaller man as soon as the officer had left.

Rowan wouldn't have said anything, but this money was not only for a gift for Typhon, it as also his ticket home! What would he do if he got stuck here without having a way to contact Typhon, or anyone else at the Bureau for that matter?? He'd have to sleep on the street or something! That was enough to fuel him and bat his shyness to the side, albeit slightly. "I haven't been off the train for more than five minutes before you guys dragged me here by my hood to rob me!" Rowan's voice was growing louder, holding a undeniable hint of anger, his honey brown eyes flaring lividly.

[kitsunenokoi]

Kamui gave the three boys the “hairy eyeball”, raising one eyebrow upwards. “How about you three go on about your business, hm? And we’ll all play nice and then I don’t have to drag your sorry asses down to the station, and I don’t have to fill out reams of paperwork which makes me very… very… cranky. You don’t want my cranky now, do you boys?”

The three hoodlums shook their heads vigorously and siddled past him out of the hallway. Kamui watched them go, gleefully grinning behind the illusion of a stern expression. That his grin was somewhere below the illusion’s sternum only made it that much funnier to the kitsune. He loved it when a prank worked to perfection.

The boy behind him shuffled, and Kamui almost burst out laughing. He was hiding behind someone who was quite a bit shorter than him. The kitsune turned around and smiled, “Welcome to New York City…”

[thebard]

Rowan flushed a bright red, suddenly shy again as the police officer looked down on him. But, he greeting was at least tepid... but was the officer holding back a laugh? Regardless, Rowan should be laughed at. What an idiot he was to even think it would be okay for him to head into he Big Apple for a gift when he could have easily found something that Ty would have liked from a shop in downtown Trenton. "Thanks," Rowan answered timidly, finally bringing his eyes up to he officer's with a half-smirk; an attempt to show his gratitude. "It hasn't been the best of experiences so far."

Sighing deeply,Rowan looked past the officer to see that the three boys were lingering around the exits, waiting for him to leave the safety of the officer's side. "Um... I hate to be an imposition," Rowan said meekly, looking once again up at the officer. "But, would you mind walking with me to the street?"

Rowan then nodded to the presence of the boys, who quickly tried to duck from sight as the officer turned to look in their direction. "Doesn't look like they're going t give up all that easily," he said with a sigh, beginning to want to sing the three into a fit of depression, or into a fearful coma. With as relatively easy as it was to work the intelligent guards of the BPRD into forgetfulness, it would be a snap to spin those idiot punks into a whirl of emotion. But, he would never do that... not unless they attacked him again, anyway.

Rowan offered the officer one of his signature bashful smiles, and tucked his hands into the front pocket hoodie. "Would that be all right?" He asked once more, meaning an escort outside. "Last thing I want is to be beaten into a bloody pulp and robbed blind."

[kitsunenokoi]

“Thanks. It hasn’t been the best of experiences so far.”

Kamui could bet it hadn’t. He chuckled to himself. But it was Rowan’s next request that truly tickled his funny bone.

“Um… I hate to be an imposition, but would you mind walking with me to the street? Doesn’t look like they’re going to give up all that easily.”

It took all of Kamui’s self control not to burst into gales of merry laughter. This boy was noticeably taller than him! And he was asking a KITSUNE to protect him! The irony was so thick, and so unintentional! Kamui turned the boy with a wide grin, “I don’t see why I can’t.” It would give him no end of amusement to indulge those hidden ironies, and to rob those irritating amateurs of their prize. Nodding pleasantly to the boys, to let them know he’d seen them, he motioned for Rowan to proceed him.

“Where are you headed?” Kamui asked.

[thebard]

Rowan frowned deeply at the boys as they passed them, feeling safe as the policeman followed close behind. He chuckled as they returned to their hunting for unknowing prey as they finally gave up on the Bard, but felt bad for their next victim. He wished he could do something that would prevent that.

Relieved when the officer distracted his thoughts, Rowan offered up another bashful smile. "I'm not sure really, this is my first time in New York," he chuckled. "As if you haven't guessed that for yourself."

"But... I'm looking for a gift for my..." Rowan blushed at the thought of Typhon again, but the word that he used for him just seemed to come so natural. "... my boyfriend."

Blushing, Rowan looked down at his feet as they walked, instantly regretting it as he walked headlong into someone. "OOF!" He grunted, quickly apologizing to the middle aged businessman as he looked down at the shorter man with a frown. "SORRY!"

Sighing Rowan just shook his head and looked back at the officer. "The problem is, I don't even know where t start..." and when they reached the street, the jungle of buildings that rose above him made him turn white and made his throat run dry. "... oh, God."

[kitsunenokoi]

BOYfriend? Well, that was interesting! He decided to stay as a male, suddenly gaining an intriguing new level to the game. It didn’t really matter to Kamui that the boy had a mate… dating or not, married or not… it meant little to the kitsune. After all, it wasn’t like he was going to wed the boy! He just wanted to have a little fun! And perhaps siphon off some of that bubbling energy the boy had.

Kitsune power was measured in the number of their tails. All kitsune sought more power, naturally. There were several ways to gain a new tail… the favorite being to steal power through intimate relations. And all humans possessed some measure of that energy the kitsune craved… but those that had special powers seemed to have more of that energy. Kamui wasn’t sure it was the same energy they used to feed those powers or totally unrelated… all he knew is he needed it and considered it fair trade. A dazzling, ecstasy-filled night with him for the paltry price of a little theft of energy.

And the boy was a blusher… Kamui couldn’t resist blushers.

He almost reached out to tug the boy to one side to avoid the businessman… but that would have been a dead giveaway to the disguise. After all, his hand was definitely too small and too low. It was tricky playing the part of someone taller. He preferred to stick to his own size or close to it when he could. But this game had required something with more of an intimidation factor…

The boy turned positively ghostly at the sight of the City. Kamui chuckled again, “They’re just buildings. They don’t bite. They’re just like any other building in any other city… there’s just more of them. Don’t let the jungle intimidate you… the predators smell fear.” Cocking his head to one side as he considered, he added, “As to where to start… well, what manner of gift are you planning on…”

All bits of good luck were inevitably balanced by bad luck. In Kamui’s case… the bad luck off seemed to outweigh the good. He tried to remain optimistic about it, but there were days when it was hard. And today… right on schedule… the bad luck struck. Just as he and the boy were turning the corner…

They happened to run into the very same uniformed cop that Kamui was currently disguised as. The officer stared in shock and surprise as he was confronted with a mirror image of himself… acting utterly independent of him. And then surprise began to melt into anger…

“Whooops!” Kamui blurted. What were the odds?

[thebard]

Rowan smiled at the officer... he was so nice! Of course these were just buildings... it was silly to be so intimidated by them. But, there were so many! A hundred times more than Trenton, and ten times as high! Oh, the thought of the different shops that he could go was exciting... he would find something perfect for Typhon! With all the variety in store, Rowan just had to find something!

Excitement growing anew, Rowan turned to look at his new officer friend, only to see that he was looking at something else. Blinking he followed the man's stare to... an exact mirror image? Rowan blinked a few times, looking back ad forth form one police office to the other, only to see the newest officer's face turn from shock to a deep anger. "....whaaaaaaaaaaaaa--??" Rowan began, not knowing what to do or think.

"Okaaaaaaay... okay..." Rowan said with astonishment, looking at the closest police officer when he said 'whoops', wondering what that meant. Rowan hadn't even had any coffee today so he sure as heck couldn't be seeing things. That is... unless of course, his new friend had an identical twin brother.... who just happened to be a police officer too...and be walking the same route. ".... I feel dizzy... I think." Teetering a little, he grabbed a hold of his officer's friend's arm... wondering for a fleeting moment why it felt smaller than it looked.

[kitsunenokoi]

Change of plans… and make that fast. Before the cop’s face darkened one iota more, Kamui was already spinning on his heel and bolting down the street to get as much distance between him and his angry pursuer as he could. Instinctually he clamped down on the hand that was touching him… it proved to be the boy. Well, no sense in getting him in trouble for an unrelated prank. Kamui held on tighter and tugged the boy along with him, darting around a corner and shedding the illusion as he did so.

A moment later, he was a stunning blonde woman in jogging shorts, and the boy had turned into a burly muscle-man, complete with dark curly hair and rippling pectorals. He was clad in an illusory running outfit too.

“Come on, darling!” Kamui burbled, smiling winningly at the boy, “You have to keep your heart rate up!”

He looked like a stunned sheep. Better do something about that expression. Well, he normally tied it to the person’s expressions, but he could easily sever the link and control it himself… The illusory man suddenly gained a brash grin. Kamui giggled like an air head and tugged him along until they were well buried in the crowd.

Cautiously, the kitsune slowed, switching their disguises for yet another set. Now they were a very elderly couple, bent with age and looking about as frail as a butterfly’s wing. Kamui leaned close, “I’ll explain everything in a minute… play along.”

The cop was scanning the crowd frantically, looking not quite sure he’d seen what he thought he’d seen… and beyond baffled at trying to find the now vanished copy-cop. Kamui shuffled along, his hand gripping the boy’s tightly. If he panicked and broke their contact, the illusion would shatter too, and the cop might have gotten a good enough look to spot him. “This way, dear,” Kamui’s voice quavered in a convincing imitation of age. He lead the boy around another corner, down another street, across another, left down another street… weaving his way through the crowds as quickly as he dared with this disguise. They finally found their way deep into Central Park. At last Kamui sighed and released the poor boy’s hand.

Immediately the illusion dissolved. With a quick glance around, Kamui shed his own disguise… appearing as his human-self. “Okay… so I know you have a LOT of questions. Let me give you a place to start. Yes, I am an illusionist. I control light waves in such a way as to make you see things that aren’t truly there. Or change the appearance of things that are. No, I don’t like to shout that out, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t either. No, I didn’t expect to run into that cop. Yes, I borrowed his appearance to bail you out of your rather delicate situation at the station.”

He paused his headlong rush of words and cocked his head to one side, tapping one finger against his lower lip. “Mmmm, I think that covers most of it… oh! And my name is Kamui. Pleased to meet you…?”

[thebard]

Rowan was too bewildered to argue much, letting the woman/old lady/little man lead hi through the crowds, across streets, around corners, and finally behind some thick brush and bushes in Central Park. Blinking at his new acquaintance's new form, Rowan's eyes instantly filled with questions. But, before he could even open his mouth, the little man was already talking.

>>"Okay… so I know you have a LOT of questions. Let me give you a place to start..."<<

Rowan cocked his head to the side, loftinga brow as he tried to ask his first question,only to get cut off...

>>"Yes, I am an illusionist. I control light waves in such a way as to make you see things that aren’t truly there. Or change the appearance of things that are."<<

Rowan's brow furrowed. So this little guy was talented too? Did he know of the BRPD? He opened his mouth again,only to be cut off once more...

>>"No, I don’t like to shout that out, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t either."<<

Rowan's frown deepened a little, feeling a bit frustrated. And before he was able to get the "I" out of the "I wasn't going to!" The quirky, talkative little man kept going on his tirade.

>>"No, I didn’t expect to run into that cop."<<

That much was obvious. Rowan just rolled his eyes with a sigh.

"Yes, I borrowed his appearance to bail you out of your rather delicate situation at the station."<<

Rowan decided it best to remain quiet, not even bothering to try and utter a 'thank you' for fear of being mauled by another tirade of words. Instead, he just nodded his understanding.

>>"Mmmm, I think that covers most of it… oh! And my name is Kamui. Pleased to meet you…?"<<

Rowan waited for a moment, blinking a few times before he tried to venture out and try a sentence. "You mean I actually get to talk now?" Rowan asked with an arched brow. "For a minute there, I thought you were going to pass out... and my name is Rowan."

Rowan blushed a little bit and scratched the back of his neck. "... thank you for that." He stammered quietly, not knowing whether or not this little man was the kind he should trust... though he DID save him. "Back at the station, I mean... thank you."

[kitsunenokoi]

“Rowan. Nice name.” Kamui adjusted his long ponytail, making sure it was still tidily bound. “Well… this is me. At least… as much of me as I intend to show you. And no problem about the rescue. I mean, how could I let a cute guy like you get mauled? That just seems sort of sacrilege, ya know?” Kamui winked sidelong at Rowan. “So… I realize we kind of got sidetracked with that jog through part of the City… but I think we’re good now. The odds of that guy finding us are pretty low. And I can always hide us again if he shows up. I don’t think he got enough of a look at you to ID you, so you should be okay.” Kamui grinned, “His expression was priceless, wasn’t it? I imagine he was rather astonished to meet his evil twin.” With a laugh, Kamui headed back to the main path of the park, snagging Rowan by the wrist to tug him along. “So, you were looking for a gift, right? Any idea of what you were trying to get? Clothes? Jewelry? Cars? Tools? I mean, ya gotta have a starting place. What’s this guy that you’re buying for like? What sort of things is he into? Besides you, that is.” That got another sly, sidelong wink… one that gave more than one meaning to his last sentence.

And that entire rambling bit of conversation had been accomplished in one sentence, and before they had taken more than a few steps. He loved being in this city… he didn’t have to slow his speech down to be understood. New Yorkers were generally caffeinated enough to keep up.

“No offense,” Kamui continued, barely pausing for breath, “But you seem kinda… well… I believe the term is ‘country cousin’. You seem a little lost in New York. Why’d you come all this way? Weren’t there any gifts in your home town? Do you not get internet or something? Of course, I’m kinda glad that you decided to come into the city… ‘cause I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet you if you’d stayed at home.” Another wink, this time accompanied with a hip-bump. “And that would have been tragic. So… lemme guess… you were looking for something extra special. Something you can’t get just anywhere, right? Something extra special for an extra special guy. Man… he’d better be extra special or I’m just going to have to find a quite bar to drown my sorrows at the utter waste of a cute guy.”

It was just a trifle on the blatant side of his flirting repertoire, but Kamui had a feeling subtle might be lost on the boy. Besides, those blushes were just delicious.

[thebard]

Rowan was completely speechless... and blushing as red as a pickled beet!

Was this little guy flirting with him??? Oh yeah, he was flirting with him all right... from his double meaning to his blatant use of the words "cute guy" and how he would have to drown his sorrows in alcohol if Typhon wasn't into him. But, as cute as this little man was in his mesmerisms... Rowan's mind seemed to be deftly set in on Typhon's handsome face. In fact, he used his sharp memory of those swirling tattoos and Ty's half smile to bring his up out of his stupor.

"Oh... Typhon..." Rowan sighed, clasping his hands together in front of them as they walked, the pupils of his eyes almost turning into a pair of whirling stars. "He's soft spoken... tall.. smart... handsome... caring... sweet..." He continued on for a few moments, finding various ways to describe the man whom he was falling head over heels for... "AND he loves my music! Did I mention he's handsome? Oh, he's so handsome..."

"I have to find that something extra special for him, Kamui!" Rowan's mind returned to the task at hand. "He's been so nice to me... reminded me what it's like to talk to people and actually enjoy them..." He flushed a little. "He just deserves to have something nice done for him."