A young girl serves us some heated water with a flower in it before receiving a warm squeeze by the old woman and disappearing somewhere...
Zhou looks at the floating flower like a kitten with a bug for quite some time.
The water isn't exactly drinkable and the flower hasn't been properly washed either... He's probably deciding whether to drink the dirty misture or not, not wanting to end up looking like a bad guest to these poor peoples
-So... What do you want to know my child?- asks the woman with a raspy voice.
A little fox comes from the "window" of her hut and lays down beside her feets, catching my attention
-What's the reason behind this place's existence?-
-Oh... It's very simple. These peoples were fast enough before the war began and we came here to hide...
As the little orphan who grew up in a Taoist Temple I knew a few trick hehe, so I helped the people in here as best as I could.
I placed a few talismans on the entrance and wrote a few more for them to keep on themselves when they go out either to hunt or chop wood, so we are safe now-
Here comes back that smile, completely out of context...
At my side Zhou reaches one unsure hand toward the small cup, I squeeze on his thigh under the table and he stops midway looking confused as I smile back to him.
-You guys do not like my little one's tea?- She asks half disappointed and half laughing -I'm sorry... We don't have any fine tea... We've lived down here for some years now, we are poor people... Haven't seen the light nor ate anything good for a while...-
She sighs making Zhou feel guilty, he cleanches his fists and reaches for the cup once again, but I steal it before he manages to grab it
-Uh...?-
-Dear Granny... I'm sorry but my friend is allergic to this flower... He didn't want to look rude, may you forgive him... I'll drink both the cups in sign of gratitude-
-Oh will you?- She lean over, smirking -Then I do not mind-
Zhou looks confused and stares at my hand holding the cup preoccupied
-One for the prosperity of your people...- I rise it as a blessing and cover it with my other arm's long sleeve in sign of respect when taking it to the mouth.
As I pour it in my mouth I start a small fire in one finger making it evaporate on the spot, Thanks to the bad light nobody notice me not drinking it
-... And one for you- I nod to the old woman and she does the same...
After I'm done, I reach one hand to my throat, pressing down on the skin -I... I'm sorry for my... Reaction, Granny... I just...
Im not used to this...-
-It's fine... You looks quite strong actually- She nods
-What's that supposed to mean?- ask Zhou -Where did you took that water Granny? It may have been contaminated...!-
He begins panicking even if only a tiny bit shows on his face
-I just...- I fall face on the table sending the "teapot" on the floor... So Zhou won't be forced to drink a single drop.
The Granny begins laughing loudly and grab Zhou's wrist with her wrinkles hand, long and sharp nails now appears on her fingertips.
-Wait... What... What's happening?!-
He tries to get his sword but the woman stops him, blocking both his hands on the table with just one hand
-What's wrong with this old woman?! You... ChangLai... What...!- he begins to pull trying to free himself.
-Hahaha wasn't it funny? I just played a little game there hahaha You should see your face!
Yes your friend really got both cups, for you! Ah that was so good to watch! Now... Getting to the better part...-
She licks her lips, going to aim at Zhou's eyes with the other free hand
-Nor so fast Granny- thanks to her distraction I stand back up and point my sword at her throat
-What?! You should be dead...!-
-Let him go-
-Why would I listen to you?-
-Because I can burn down this whole place, simple... Same trick I used to not drink that poisoned water-
-Honestly I am amused now... How did you knew it was poisoned?-
-It's basic botanical knowledge, Granny-
-What about your fire?-
-If you really want an honest reply shouldn't you be honest yourself? Drop the mask off!- I push the blade further
-Hahaha very cleaver!-
She begin laughing as her features tears apart...
A young curvy body, white skin, claws and fangs along green eyes and white hair
-Ah... Aren't I beautiful uh?- she winks
-Drop it ALL off- I rise on hand and enlighten it with fire
-What do you mean?-
-I saw the glitch in your camouflage... Those dark shadows at the back...
Your fox powers are not strong enough to create both the illusion of a village and yet conceal those dead bodies-
-Dead... Bodies?!- squeaks Zhou still beign held hostage
-Yes... The one in front of us now is not an human being...- I keep starting at her, not moving my eyes for a single second
-But a flesh eating mischievous fox... And we were her meal for today. Sorry to have ruined your dinner Miss-
He only stares at me with a blank expression and his plump lips open in shock
The door sprang open and the little girl from before enters bringing a vassoil in her hands
-Dear sav... Ahhhhh!- as she see what's happening she begin screaming and falls on the ground, her body twists horrifically and cracks down into an ugly bloody fox who jumps on me.
I reach for the knife in my boot and send it away against the rock sidewalls of the now empty cave...
As hundreds of screams circles me, all the humans fall on the floor twisting before revealing their foxes forms in a echo of broken bones and blood splashes...
-This is not a good situation...-
I thrust forward, hitting with my whole body against the fox woman, and steal Zhou bringing him close to my chest to protect him.
I hug him tight with one hand and hold my sword high with the other
-I'm sorry Zhou'Ge... We should have have never followed that man... It was my fault-
-Can you... Make it out alive if...-
-Don't you even try to think that, if someone really has to stay back that's me... But I'll fight with all I have for us to survive.
I just...
Don't know how strong these demons can be, nor how much I can endure...-
-Watch out!-
I rise my sword and as it gets set on fire and fend off a bunch of mad foxes
-Zhou'Ge... Don't ever let go of me, I won't be able to protect you if so-
-Mhn...- he nods holding tight on the fabric of my clothes looking even shorter and younger this way
-Good... Now let's work our way out...-