Today Alisson was to meet an Irinian liaison, on behalf of some trade commission or the like. He had been instructed to go to a certain club at midday, but Alisson had time to kill until then.
"This here is the Seishin shrine! One of the oldest shrines in the city!"
Tsuhara motioned to the gates of an imposing structure. He asked her to bring him here in the meantime. This was the shrine that supposedly housed the spirit Alisson had heard of. If he could meet with it, it may prove beneficial.
Tsuhara led Alisson's party of Celis and their apprentices into the shrine proper, where within its walls was a garden of stone. That was to say, that the ground looked to be made of rocks and stone. He could see some of the Kitsune serving at the shrine sweeping the paths and making sure the rocks of the garden were neatly arranged.
"No farther than this!" Tsuhara swept her hands out, halting Alisson. "It's unsightly for guests to be wearing such attire, deep into the shrine, at least." Tsuhara gazed at Alisson. "You'll have to change."
Alisson looked to his companions and shrugged. "Fine enough. You all can stay here with Tsuhara. I wish to go further."
Tsuhara nodded with excitement and waved over one of the shrine girls. Tsuhara was left to spout the lore of the shrine to the poorly enthused Nekomata.
Alisson was led by a shrine girl into a wooden structure with some privacy and handed traditional clothes of the Kitsune, a hakama and a kimono, and some odd footwear called tabi. After failing to wear to the robes after a couple minutes, the kitsune thankfully helped him.
As he stepped out into the open air, he could feel how quiet and peaceful the sounds were here. It was as if there were a barrier between the shrine and the city. He was told to follow the main path into the garden and bobbed his head in thanks to the shrine keeper.
"Oh and sir…You are a Nekomata, correct?"
Alisson nodded.
"Then you should show your true self, you will appear more guileless. Sei will more easily recognize you…"
"Very well."
With a flash, Alisson activated his Opensen, and ears appeared at the top of his head, and two tails swung at his back. He left the shrine girl behind, walking along. As Alisson followed the path, the air fell quieter, and the density of the flora grew. The shrine was deceptively large, it seemed, for Alisson walked for quite a while.
Alisson stood tall, glancing at the surroundings. The canopy above was now thick enough to blot out the sunlight, and a relative darkness now surrounded him. The path ended; and ahead lay only a tangle of flora. He stepped off the path, and stared into the dense brush before him with sharp eyes. The ears atop his head narrowed and tilted across the landscape, but he heard nothing out of the ordinary.
Alisson knew this realm of the world well. It may have been a different culture, a different country, but it was such a familiar feeling that surrounded him. He sat down, and stared into the brush, and waited.
He felt no need to speak out to call for it. If it wanted to show itself, then it would.
Time passed and Alisson closed his eyes. He didn't know how long he sat there, but eventually, he understood that he was not welcome here.
"My apologies. I'm sorry for disturbing you."
He stood and turned, and walked back down the path. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught two glimmers staring back at him. But he chose not to investigate. This was evidently not the right time.
…
"…Which led to the 3rd Budou War. Eventually a bunch of kitsune, including the Queen at the time, all crammed in this shrine, and cast a barrier that still protects this hallowed ground from foreign invaders to this day…So if you're thinking any evil thoughts, you'll get ripped into little bits by old magics!"
Tsuhara raised her hands, trying to scare the apprentices, but they were both light on their feet, bored by the history. The sun was high in the sky, and I briefly considered going after Alisson, but I saw him not long after walking toward us wearing kitsune garb, with his Opensen activated.
"Did you speak with the spirit?" I asked.
Alisson shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. It was a pleasant walk though, and certainly a wonderful place to reflect."
I rolled my eyes at him. He looked funny wearing that Kitsune stuff, with his oblivious and serious expression. He could probably be told to do anything 'in good manners' and he would. I feel like most other Nekomata would just march straight into the middle of the shrine and demand what they wanted.
"Alisson!" Tsuhara embraced Alisson. "You look just like a kitsune wearing those! A strong traditional male sou!" She looked up at Alisson, and quietly whispered, "Marry me?" She tilted her head, eyes like a puppy dog.
Alisson was briefly stunned and blinked his eyes a few times, one of his ears fluttering atop his head, as if mishearing her words.
"My condolences, but now is not the time for jokes." Alisson looked to the sky, and then at Tsuhara with a frown. "I must shed this attire which an Irinian would find disgraceful."
Alisson remembered what I told him and pushed Tsuhara away. "Kitsune included."
Alisson stared out of the shrine, a face of disgust forming on him, and I knew why. The liaison was to meet him at a particularly distasteful establishment, apparently. A nightclub.
***