12847/Noodles and tails tales

Noodles and tails tales
Date of Scene:	21 September 2022
Location:	Ramen Empire
Synopsis:	Saeko and Cecily meet over noodles
Cast of Characters:	Cecily Winters, Saeko

---

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Probably the tackiest restaurant in the city, and with New York, that's saying something. But you'd be hard pressed to find a better bowl of ramen anywhere else. A nine-tailed fox woman comes in this late autumn night, clad in her usual attire of sharp, professional garb and an openly-worn sidearm. She breathes in the scent of the food and exhales a sigh that comes dangerously close to being called 'relaxed.' Without hesitation, she makes her way up to the long bar and has a seat. It's well past dinner hour so the rush has almost entirely subsided, giving room to sit. "Shoyu with the works, please, and a bottle of tea," she makes her order and proceeds to simply... deflate a little.

Saeko has posed:
Tacky sure, but well...the owner had paid a visit to her modest shrine in Central park and left a little offering of food. Of course, the blessing that had been asked of Inari was simply for 'a nice day', but Saeko had enjoyied the treat enough to come check the place of business out. Herself guised as a human, the startlingly beautiful woman with dark hair pushed into the restaurant only for her eyes to go wide at the glimpse of tails.

A sister?! Here?! She was already bouncing happily towards the seat without a care to consider why another kitsune would reveal their true nature so readily. Who was she to judge, given she'd resorted to superheroics and public appearing in the past!

Cecily Winters has posed:
    If Cecily is a true kitsune, she certainly doesn't.. quite look it. The nine-tailed fox woman is not dressed in anything remotely elegant or Japanese-styled, and a glimpse at her face shows she's a pretty far cry from having any Asian heritage visible whatsoever. She sits up a little more when her bottle of iced tea arrives, and the only sound that comes from her is the 'shhpop~' of the cap being opened and unsealed. "Thank you very much, hope it's been a good day for you?" she strikes up a conversation with the overly friendly owner over nothing in particular, her tails waving slowly behind her, perhaps subconsciously reacting to the girl entering.

Saeko has posed:
Technically speaking, a true kitsune, especially a Tenko with all nine tails, could look however they wanted...but that didn't mean Cecily didn't read a little strange. Not that Saeko was going to look a beacon of normal as she appeared behind the store owner, blinking and tilting her head to the side. "May I join you?" she asks outright, likely startling the man offering her the food as she addresses the science-formed fox.

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Even with Cecily being no strange to Weird Shit(TM), the sudden appearance of the other woman does startle her. She sits up quickly and is thankful she hadn't actually taken a drink of her tea! "Me?" she asks, looking to see if she's actually the only person at the bar--and she is. "I don't see why not, but try not to disturb the staff..." she says with a quiet sigh and pats the seat next to her with her free hand. Normally her tails would make it pretty hard for someone to sit next to her, but someone that seems to be able to just 'jump' like that should have no trouble slipping into the spot. It's also why Cecily took the far end seat, as not to get in anyone's way.

Saeko has posed:
It was only after the server does move that Saeko seems to tilt her head to the side...and something odd happens as her ears shift and the furred points of her own foxy ears appear on her head, those nine tails spreading out behind her while whisker-marks appear on her features and she leans in closer, staring. "You...you are not a Tenko...or a yokai..." she speaks softly, apparently happy enough to reveal herself in the privacy of the mostly empty store if only to sate her curiousity.

Sudden fox girl!

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Cecily's eyes close for a few moments as she drinks deep from the bottle she's got, and when she sets it down do they reopen. To see a different face staring back at her and from quite close now. Her eyes glance around some and she quirks a brow. "No," her answer is, ears laying flat quite naturally. "Though it is nice to see another fox. I'm Cecily," she states, a hand reaching into one of the many hidden pockets of her vest to withdraw a business card. It's all black with a silver fox tail design across the front. The only text entries are 'Kitsune Arms' and a phone number in the same shining silver.

Saeko has posed:
A business card handed to her? How suitably formal...and wonderfully appropriate to the culture of the land that still worshiped the Amatsu-kami. She smiles, taking the card before it seemed to vanish in a little flare of kitsunebi and she folded her hands together in a light bow of her head. Science fox, meet magic fox!

"I am Saeko, Tenko of Inari...and you are very curious to me. A fox born of mortal 'magic'? The 'sciences'?"

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "You could say that," Cecily replies. She keeps her free hand elevated and lets a swirl of purple-blue flame circle around her fingers before catching it in her palm and snuffing it out. "Science and who knows what else," she laughs. "My dad's the brain of the family, I get most of this from my mom..." she playfully flexes. The rolled-up sleeve of her white blouse shows her muscle tone and then she lowers her hand. "Don't think I've met fox in a long time. So you come in here for some of the best noodles in town, too?" she asks, fixing her purple gaze on Saeko.

Saeko has posed:
The server...he was probably going to be suprised to see another fox when he turned around, but Saeko paid no mind as she instead smiled and moved to claim her drink, her own tails giving an amused twitch. "I came for curiousity's sake...but I have been amazed by how human food has grown in this last century. Have you tried 'Donuts?' They are very nice."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "Donuts? Oh yeah, love 'em," Cecily has trouble stifling a laugh. "I used to be a cop. Day old donuts and stale coffee run in my veins still, practically," she rolls her eyes but smiles. She's definitely got her guard down here. Maybe it's the comfort of a familiar location, and the presence of another, well, fox-thing, that she's able to relax a little. Or the scent of forthcoming noodles definitely helps. "You should go give Uncle Ramon a visit. Or I can show you sometime, you've got my number."

Saeko has posed:
Was that an offering of food? Certainly it might not be enough to buy a blessing without actual exchange, but it would very much curry some favor. A little lazy brush of her tail against those of her faux-sister and she nods, sipping her tea. "I would like that. I have been trying to find the 'best' pizza in this city too, but it is difficult when many of them claim to have it."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Cecily stares at Saeko for a moment and then laughs, a mirthful, musical laugh. "Oh, no no no, dear..." she says, almost doubling over. "...I'm sorry, but you could spend your entire lifetime sampling pizza in this town and never find the 'best' one. But you wouldn't go hungry," she shakes her head and slowly sits up. Just in time for her soup to arrive. It's laden with egg and pork and green onions and it just smells, well, divine! Her own tails seem to unconsciously brush and slide against the other fox's, though. Maybe it's a slight show of affection or just an enjoyment of the light contact. Either way she doesn't seem to mind.

Saeko has posed:
A frown, a pout, as if the idea of there being no 'best' was a puzzlement, still the Tenko does seem to have no intent to untangle tails as she listens and inhales the scent, turning her gaze back to the seller. "Another of those please," she instructs lightly, politely but clearly keen. It did smell divine after all!

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "Uncle Ramon runs El Supernatural Mexicano," Cecily starts to explain. "He's got a cart in Central Park most days but his family runs a few of the chain locations around New York, too. You want the best of something, go see him. Best Mexican food in the city, I don't care what any other store advertises," the woman says firmly as she leans over to spoon some broth up to sip quietly. It's not quite cold enough outside yet for hot soup to be needed, but it is definitely a little autumn chill this time of night.

Saeko has posed:
A nod from Saeko, the woman smiles brightly as she comes to a tilt of her head. "And this Ramon, he is your uncle...or this is a title of honor?" she questions slowly. Divine knowledge everybody!

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Another soft laugh comes from the science-sune. "...a title of honor, I would say..." she answers before carefully taking a pair of chopsticks and working at some of the extra delicious bits atop her bowl of noodles. "So what brings you to New York?" she asks, glancing over at the other fox, noticing their tails are much more tangled by now and simply admiring the girl's beauty rather openly.

Saeko has posed:
What brought her to New York? Saeko smiles at that, finally giving an excited little exclaimation as her own meal arrived and reaching for her chopsticks. "People in need." She offers lightly before laughing. "Inari tasks us to offer blessings and support to those who pray for us, pray for prosperity, pray for help. As a Tenko I have more authority than most...so surely those calling out for 'Anyone' to save them are as much asking for aid as someone who beseeches us at a shrine or temple."

A beat, she smiles. "And I was curious about this century, the sight of gods and champions walking on Earth is...exciting."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Cecily noms on the boiled egg she's got, well, one of a few actually. Seems her 'usual' goes heavy on the protein. Her augmented body might burn a little hot! "So you just... happen to wander around looking for people who call for help?" she asks, but sounds rather cheerful about it. "And yeah, there are... a lot of things roaming around. Gods and champions is kind of putting it lightly. But it's definitely accurate," nods, then noms, before snatching up a piece of the pork. Truly the best part.

Saeko has posed:
"Esentially, though those that know Inari...or me, can summon me directly. Magical summonings work on divine spirits too after all." Saeko grins before letting one of her nine tails 'boop' the other woman lightly. "And you are a maker of weapons? Inari is a favorour of craftsmen and artists after all. I could tell you a story of a swordsmith I once knew."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "Dinner and a story?" Cecily asks softly, "I must be very lucky this evening. It's been a long day," she says with a gentle smile. "But yes, I'm a gunsmith. And, well. I'm not a god or a champion but... I do try to help out where I can..." she muses aloud before taking up a long slurp of some noodles.

Saeko has posed:
A smile, she takes another bite of her meal, a little giggle before she sips another sip of her soup and then turns to face Cecily proper. "There was a swordsmith who was tasked by his lord, centuries ago, to craft a weapon worthy of his status. The craftsman did not wish to disappoint his master and face consequences. So he came to the temple and sought a partner to help him craft the blade. Inari sent me...in the guise of a young child. I assisted him as her servant...and the blade was made with Inari's blessing. I believe in English you would call it 'Little fox'. I sometimes wonder where the blade ended up."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Cecily seems to be enjoying the food and the story, just listening to the short tale about the smith and the fox. She smiles, though, "...Little Fox..." she muses. "What a cute name. Was it a beautiful sword?" she asks, glancing over at Saeko again. "I'm afraid my weapons aren't anywhere near as elegant... and I do mostly machining work and munitions crafting. Modifications and such. Not so much building or forging them from scratch..."

Saeko has posed:
"A craftsman is a craftsman, and artist an artis," she offers, tails lazily brushing over Cecily's own with a smile. "No matter what medium. Perhaps you will show me your work sometime? I have seen others utilize firearms, even when they were simply spears and fireworks...but I have never used one myself."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "Well..." Cecily considers, putting down her chopsticks. She holds a finger up and turns slightly. Very, very carefully she removes her handgun from her holster. She drops the magazine and places it on the counter before pulling the slide. Her hands move quickly and with such dexterity that she locks the slide and then catches the round before it falls away. It looks to be a USP .45 of some sort but the slide seems to be custom built, engraved with the 'Kitsune Arms' stamp and logo. "Modified mainly, but it does what I need it to do," she smiles.

Saeko has posed:
Oh! Right here? Saeko looks suprised as she slurps a noodle before her eyes alight with bright blue energy and the weapon floats before her, a little beckoning of her finger making the item spin for a moment before she smiles back and then lets it float gently back to the top of the counter. "Impressive. Clearly you have much care for your work!

Cecily Winters has posed:
    "I do," Cecily nods. "After all, a gun that doesn't fire properly is about as useful as a sword that snaps in half, wouldn't you agree?" she asks, taking up the firearm and carefully putting everything back together. She thumbs the stray round in, slots the magazine, and then snaps the slide forward before holstering it. "I imagine you have much care for yours as well, and a lot of love for people, hmm?"

Saeko has posed:
"I'm certain you're right, though I have never raised a sword in anger either," Saeko offers lightly before sipping the last of her soup and giggling lightly, a nod as she turns now just enough to reach a fingertip out and lazily coil it in the other woman's tail gently. "Of course. I have lived for centuries, but humanity, mortals, those in this world? They all excite me."

Cecily Winters has posed:
    Cecily's tail slides down along Saeko's arm, brushing over it before curling around it. "I'm, well. Not likely to age too fast now, after my... augmentations. But we'll see..." she sighs softly and slowly finishes up her own soup. She's only got a couple of pieces of that pork left, that wonderful pork. She nibbles on each piece, savoring it and just about purring. "Give me a call if you need me, mm? I should get going."

Saeko has posed:
A little smile and a nod, Saeko makes to stand, a little sweep of her hands over the counter leaving money seemingly having appeared out of nowhere. "Indeed...and should you need aid, or inspiration? Well, you are welcome to call on me..." With that and a smile, she was simply gone, vanished from the space like she'd blinked out of existance.