The Sanshin Player

[Guest]

Fyl had smelled the strong scent that came with large civilization. He had been careful enough to avoid being seen around here but it was rather hard. It was easy to spot the large fox, even if you weren't looking. His coloring was unusual for a red fox and showed some of the marble cross blood on his scruffy looking pelt. His Sanshin lay on his back, held on by the strap that went above one shoulder and below the other and seemed to lean just right as to not fall down. His yellow eyes seemed to glow as the sun set and showed somehow his human-like intelligence. The kind of eyes that weren't just looking, but were really seeing. His ears were up and rotating every so second, listening to his forest like surroundings that were near that base of a mountain. His tail tail twitching every once and awhile was it dragged on the ground as his precise paw steps caught only the quietest earth to tread. Never once making a noise in the calm forest.

Silent as it was the chimera couldn't help but notice the small animals around him and couldn't help but smile to himself. Fear was presented in many different ways. Humans saw him as a monster of a fox; nothing but what could only mean death itself. But other animals only saw him as a somewhat larger fox. They never thought twice and ran not because of what he really was, but just what they figured he was. All traces of humanity were no longer there to them. Human's generally seemed to have an inkling of what was going on with the fox. And that usually scared them if they realized. He found it amusing.

As he made his way through the occasional tree looking for something... Yes, his separation from Kir had been to find himself but what he had really ended up doing was finding places to play his Sanshin. So far he had scaled the majority of Aerugo and every day and sunset would find some enchanted little clearing or pleasant tree to sit and play his instrument of choice. And today was no different. As he found the clearing he had been searching for he made his way around it to observe it. Sniffing the ground around somewhat cautiously. His fear of coyotes made sure to keep him in check, that was for sure. And as he finished his inspection he stood upright on his hind legs and walked rather naturally on his hind legs as if it was not big deal. Sitting down on a rather charming little stump he curled his tail at his side as he moved his Sanshin into place. First he flexed his paw like 'fingers' and grabbed onto the instrument before beginning to play a rather soothing melody to himself and the creatures around him. His eyes closing as he felt a rarely found peace sweep over his body.

These were the moments the fox wish would honestly last forever.

[Hikaru]

The words ran over the pages like wild horses. Ink long dried and forgotten by it's writer. But when read together it left a beautiful story for one to read. The story of the rabbit in the moon. One of his favourite as a child. Then again this book was one of his favourites. Filled with some many stories that his father would read to him. Letting him turn the pages while he sat in his lap. But now he was here reading it to himself. Repeating the stories to people who would listen. To him people of this modern age forgot the wonders of a fairytale....to busy in there stressful lives to care. But the magic that the reminder of youth could bring was a gift he loved to give.

A soft melody graced his ears. whispering sweet notes that made tingles run down his spine. He looked over the branch he was sat on. Up high in one of the trees. How he got up there...well that’s a secret. But as he looked down his eyes widened. Like out of the pages of his book a fox playing the Sanshin sat below. He wanted to jump down and get a closer look. But fearing to scare the creature he watched for a breath longer.

Gently reaching into his sleeve he removed his flute. Licking his lips and fingers masterfully gliding over the metal he played out his tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COKPLZ1FmWg&feature=related

[Guest]

Foxen ears shot up at the sound of a flute joining the sounds of the area surrounding. His eyes slid up slowly to the trees while not stopping his playing but momentarily pausing before experimentally joining in. Ad little hesitant at first the notes seemed to be plucked slowly and he seemed rather unsure of where he was going but soon enough he was able to pick up something that fit together rather well. He looked down at the earth, unable to keep a smile from taking it's place on his canine features. He had not noticed this being at all until now but it didn't phase him any. As long as he didn't destroy the gentle mood he had created right now. Though that part of him that was human yearned to say something... Not like he would hear him anyways. It was better to just wait. Patience was what Fuyu seemed to be a master of.

He silently tapping his hind leg paw as his tail flicked, concentrating on continuing to match the hidden flute. feeling the noted float around the forest area and grace the ears of both themselves and the surrounding wildlife. He almost chuckled, it seemed almost appropriate the only time he could share a moment like this with anybody other than Kir it was some random person in a tree as it got dark in a forest. He wasn't sure why it seemed so appropriate to him but it did.

He kept his ears up and his tail moved behind him. Yes, today seemed like a rare good day indeed. Too bad Kir wasn't here, but those were thoughts he had to abandon for now. His and Kir's paths would cross again someday but for now he was on his own.

[Hikaru]

Hikaru noticed the strings stopped being plucked in tune of a melody. Slowly lowering the flute and tucking the book into the pack on his shoulders. Slowly jumping down from the high branch. The wind caught under the flaps the hat making it look like a falling bird. Landing gently on his geta adorned feet with more grace then it should of had.

He bowed to the fox in greeting. "Good day my friend...." He spoke slowly hoping to not frighten the animal though the creatures eyes where bright and not dulled by fear. " I could not help but be enticed by the music you played my Vulpine friend....please do not let me disrupt you."

Standing from a distance he watched the fox with azure eyes of excitement. He wondered was a fox a shape shifter? A messenger from beyond? Cursed? Oh the excitement bubbled and ebbed off him in thick waves. He hoped the fox would let him observe this secret.

[Guest]

Fyl raised a brow at the falling figure that looked like a bird. He moved his Sanshin onto his back once against as he adjusted to stand on all fours once more. As the figure spoke his ears turned towards him though he was looking down. He smiled slightly as his arms slid back as he finished speaking. He looked up at him again and opened his mouth for a moment but then closed it with a silent sigh. He sat back once more but on the ground and with his front legs off of the ground. He lightly rubbed the scars on his neck as he prepared himself for the task of speaking. He opened his mouth again.

"Quite rare somebody stops and listens" he said almost too quiet to hear unless you were paying attention. His voice sounding hoarse and whispering. His tail flicked again and he grinned with his teeth showing. Commence the usual freak out. He may have been fine with Fyl now but he assumes after realizing he could also speak he would feel the same fear as a lot of others have done. His ears moved back up as his front paws moved back onto the ground "Forgive me if I am not loud enough. This is as loud as I can go" he noted after a moment, figuring that would have been a nice enough thing to mention before he ran off and thought he was not only a freak, but a rude freak at that. No matter what he did, Fyl prided himself on being overly polite in every situation he could possibly be polite in.

[Hikaru]

"Quite rare somebody stops and listens" Hikaru chuckled softly. "People in this modern age can not appreciate anything. Be it music or nature…." He watched as the fox placed the instrument back on his back and returned to four paws to leave. Hikaru felt saddened by the idea of the creature leaving.

"Forgive me if I am not loud enough. This is as loud as I can go" Hikaru shook his head. "Do not worry. I can hear quite well." He smiled and sat. "Please do not leave. I would love to sit and talk with you." The samurai set his swords on the ground in front of him. A sign of peace. "What brought you here my friend?" He removed the shoulder pack opening the material and retrieving his rice balls. "Please sit and eat with me?" He bowed his head softly offering the fox a rice ball wrapped in seaweed.

[Guest]

The fox tilted his head as he watched the unusual man speak and sit down. His ears seemed to move with the tilt of his head with one moving slightly more down and the other standing as tall as ever. Curious he was to try and understand the reason for this man's lack of fear. He felt slightly as though maybe he should be offended or something. Maybe he was just losing his edge. Hearing him offer him not only company but food as well. Curious... Very curious.

But either ways he did sit down and slip off his Sanshin and leaned it against the stump. He said nothing as he hesitantly grabbed the rice ball, being sure there was no contact between the two. He had no reason to avoid physical contact but it was something he only made when violence was included. His eyes stared at Hikaru as he nodded. He felt no need to speak at this point in time. His speech had to be forced and that was never fun. He looked up for a moment as a bird passed between trees and the sudden movement made him see to cringe slightly as his ears moved back. Sudden noises like that annoyed him and put him back on his alertness. He now looked around at his surroundings, tail flicking slightly.

[Hikaru]

Hikaru was slightly saddened when the fox didn't respond but he would not be angry. The fox most likely had a reason behind his un-wiliness to have a conversation. Taking a bite into his rice ball and chewing he realised he had no tea and sighed. "Forgive me...It seems I forgot the tea my friend." They ate in silence for a short while. But soon Hikaru got a little uncomfortable and uncertain.

What dose one do in such a conversation. the foxes in the stories where chatty and confident. And at times would try and trick you. He sat there for a long moment wondering if the fox would speak before he held out a hand. "My name is Tanaka Hikaru....It's nice to meet you...."

The food was eaten and the conversation still nonexistent. Hikaru watched as the sky turned to twilight creating a beautiful contrast of colours across the sky broken by the tree line. Hikaru briefly wondered if the fox had a den to return to for he himself would be sleeping with the stars as a blanket.

[Guest]

Fyl looked at him as he spoke again and his ears twitched slightly as he opened his mouth again but words escaped him. Introductions were always quite difficult for him as he never knew which name to use. But he did at the same time. Fuyu Yamagishi was a dead name. No. He was Fyl. He smiled slightly before taking a bite himself. He took the hand in a casual hand shake, quite familiar with the gesture.

"Fyl... My name is Fyl. And what is it a human like you is going out here? Don't they usually favor those large cities and towns and such?" he made conversation, tilting his head. He never was one to talk all that much but he felt like he just might tonight. This man was nice enough to have a conversation with. That was hard for Fyl to car about such things lately as when he did find somebody nice enough he wanted nothing to do with them and their possible friendship. But Hikaru somehow made him feel truthfully welcome.

"It has been some years since I had food like this" he admitted idly as he tilted his head. He had forgotten how much he missed food like this. It was much better than the plainly cooked meat he usually consumed. He was a hunter but he was still partially human so cooked food was definitely preferred though it wasn't required.

[Hikaru]

The feel of the soft fur and leathery pads in his own hand felt strange but not unpleasant. He smiled softly and shook the paw before releasing it. "Fyl... My name is Fyl. And what is it a human like you is going out here? Don't they usually favour those large cities and towns and such?" He shuddered. Ugh cities and town filled with grey....grey concrete. He could almost gag but he smiled.

"Nice to meet you Fyl. I actually came from the manor in the forest of sakura tree's...I rarely left it's walls...this is the first time I have passed it's forests and ventured to the world beyond my father's land." He wondered for a moment if his father was still mad for his choices. But he couldn't be trapped there forever.

"It has been some years since I had food like this" He smiled. "If I had know I was going to be having dinner with company. I would of made sure I had more then a simple collection of rice balls with me."

[Guest]

Fyl's tail swished the the other side of him as his ears rotated slightly and he watched him as he finished eating with a single bite. It was easy for a fox. But it was quite satisfied nonetheless. He smiled as he heard where he wasn't from one of those city areas and he nodded. He wished he could have grown up in a place as beautiful as what that sounded like. He tilted his head as he thought and as he heard him speak again he chuckled lightly.

He said nothing, as was his usual behavior anyways. And als he scratched his neck lightly with his paw he couldn't help but smile. This man had caught him on a rare good day and he was quite pleased. Polite about the whole conversation, really. His ears rotated again as he put his paws back on the ground. He bowed his head politely, being polite still.

"It was nice as is. Thank you" he said in his usual hushed tone with his tail curling around him. His mind begin to wander back to Kir and he closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again. Needing to remember that this was a journey for him. To find him.

[Hikaru]

Hikaru had gathered his pack and stood slowly. He bowed to the fox. "It was a great pleasure to meet you and have lunch by your side." He said softly wishing to any above who were watching that there paths would cross again in the future and many times after that. Placing the pack on his shoulder's he gave one more bow. "May our path's meet once more my friend...and may your journey be safe."

After the farewells he turned with a wave and carried on. His next destination was Xing. There the home of Alkahestry and someone who could train him. Though maybe he should get supplies in Kyoto...somehow. Trying to work the flimsy plastic card was rather difficult. Maybe someone would assist him. But for now he would enjoy the slow walk back. Maybe he should write a story about today... It was so strange of a meal no one would believe it to be true. Ah yes the Tengu and the fox...He hummed a tune as he walked in happiness. He hoped as well. That fyl would achieve his goal...what ever it may be.

[EXIT THREAD]

[Guest]

"Farewell" Fyl said as he watched the nice man exit. He felt a slight pulling of his mind towards him. He was interesting in this being. But he ignored it and leaned back against the stump. He pulled his Sanshin back onto his lap and moved into a comfortable position and began to play a soft tune lightly as he watched him leaver. He closed his eyes. He would have to tell Kir about this someday when he saw him again. Whenever that was meant to happen. As his eyes closed he saw the notes he was playing in dull red tones. Such a sweet song of death that could only had been thought of by the fox himself.

Peace held in the quiet night air as a feeling of tranquility spread. Such a nice night. It was even better to have had company during the sunset. Today was a good day and he could not claim it to be anything less. He hadn't even felt the pull of the great Izanami towards the figure he spoke to which was a pleasant thought. Maybe they will meet again someday.

Until that day, they parted ways.

(Thread end~)

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