I still can’t seem to understand why people think Hime Kinu blames or dislikes her father or that Kiyoko is cold to her, there are plenty of examples why I think that it’s just being overly polite in most situations and that gives them an air of being distant. I disagree with that and think that they are just closeted foxes with too much love in them that they have to contain it.
One great example is the new year mini event:
There was so much sweetness in this that I think I’ve gone diabetic from too much
One great example is the new year mini event:
- A curious sight awaits you as you enter the small crossroads in the middle of
the kitsune den. Kinu's waiting for Kiyoko and you, all dressed up formally.
Your fox-daughter steps up, bows, and gives you a small smile. "Welcome back,
Father. You have arrives just as predicted."
Just as predicted, eh?
"Mikoto was kind enough to make a divination as to when you would arrive, and so
I made preparations to celebrate the turning of the year with you and Mother. It
is, after all, an auspicious hour."
Kiyoko cocks her head at you. "Well, beloved. It looks like our daughter's been
mindful enough to give us a proper welcome while we were on the road. It would
be remiss of us to not avail ourselves of it, don't you think?"
After all you've been through together and fought so hard to get to this day
where you can be together as a family... Of course you'll join in the
festivities with herand the children. You take Kiyoko's hand in yours, and let
your daughter guide the both of you through the den, down the paths and to the
dining hall, Kinu hurrying ahead of you. There, your children are patiently
waiting at their tables; they rise and give you a bow as you enter. Up atop a
low stove, a large cauldron of steaming noodle soup simmers over a muted fire,
spreading a wondrous smell over the entire room. Kinu's tending to the cauldron
and adding to the finishing touches, stirring the enormous batch of noodle broth
with a long ladle and looking very pleased with herself.
"That'll do," Kinu says, setting aside the ladle clapping her hands. As one,
your fox-children — with the exception of Kinu, of course — take their seats and
await to be served. "Now that everyone's here, I think we can begin."
With that said, Kiyoko steps up and takes a whiff of the aroma rising from the
broth. "Ah, hot soba. It truly brings back memories...what a pleasant surprise
to come home to."
Memories she'd care to share with you? Despite all this time you've been
together, she hasn't really gone into her childhood in that much detail.
A wan smile. "Maybe in the future. Not today, at least."
As enigmatic as always, isn't she?
Once everyone is ready, Kinu says something in her mother tongue, then picks up
the ladle. One by one, your kitsune children come up to their mother and are
served large bowls of soba noodles, to which Kinu adds a garnish of spring
onions and dried shrimp from large bins off to the side. It's an elegant,
orderly affair — no doubt the fluffy kits have been warned to be on their best
behavior for the day. When the last of the kits have been served and are seated,
they look expectantly to Kiyoko.
"Thank you for the food, Mama."
"Of course. Please, begin."
As your fox-children pick up their chopsticks and get to work, Kinu snuffs out
the cooking fire with a snap of her fingers and portions out the last of the
soba noodles onto a tray — just enough for you, Kiyoko, and herself.
"Please, Father, Mother, enjoy the sight outside while I clean up here. I will
join you posthaste for the turning of the year."
Your fox-wife gives you a smile. "She's right. There's a lovely view outside;
shall we depart?" - Together, you pick up your trays and head outside down the path to the crater's
edge where the fruit groves are. It's a little dark, but the gentle light of
foxfire stone lanterns illuminates the path and lends a vaguely romantic air to
the whole affair.
"Just enough time for the noodles to cool just right," Kiyoko remarks as she
sets down the tray on a nearby box. It's not as luxurious as the hilltop
parasols and benches back in the Astral Plane, but neither of you would ever
give this up for that. "And just enough time for us to have a pleasant dalliance
under the moonlight. I'm curious, Falken — how did you observe the passing of
the new year yourself?"
An evening of quiet repose and meditation, usually. Your studies set you apart
from society at large, and the revelries of new years' celebrations were often
either too distant or simply didn't hold that much appeal to you. Going out into
the streets of town and getting smashed with strangers just didn't seem
meaningful at the time; you'd rather have spent the occasion with people you
actually had meaningful relationships with.
Kiyoko listens to your recollections in silence, then heaves a little sigh when
you're done. Your fox-wife sits herself down beside you on the crate, then leans
her head against her shoulder, vulpine ears tickling your cheek. "We've been
through so much together, beloved. It stirs a certain longing in one's heart."
Um —
Before you can reply, though, Kiyoko raises a finger to her lips and smiles.
"It's okay. I'm just happy you're here with me tonight. Come on, let's have the
toshikoshi soba before it gets too cold."
Of course, of course... no matter how many times you try to use these sticks for
eating, you can never quite get used to them. Broth and noodles alike are
lukewarm by this point, and the two of you savour them in silence under the thin
moonlight, a gentle breeze blowing in from the forest. Like Kiyoko herself, the
food is simple and homely, evoking a strange sentiment of longing in your heart.
Speaking of longing... hey, these noodles are really long...
"They're made that way to symbolise long life," Kiyoko says with a small laugh,
her nine tails curling about herself. "Seven gods, I've lived long enough, or at
least it feels that way. Who am I to complain, though? Komari must get sick at
the sight of these."
Well, your fox-wife looks pretty good for someone who's broken her second
century. Why, she doesn't look a day over fifty.
Kiyoko just giggles and shakes her head.
Hmm... you still feel a little clumsy with these foreign utensils, but you
manage to pick up a small portion of dried shrimp and hold it out in front of
Kiyoko's face. Her ears wiggle and twitch as she realises what you're doing, and
your kitsune wife's cheeks color faintly.
"Ehehe, I don't know, beloved... I'll feel kinda embarrassed if you feed me..."
Nonsense. You've known her in the most intimate, carnal fashion now. There's
absolutely no reason for her to get all bashful over something as simple as you
feeding her.
Kiyoko looks askance, a small grin set in her face. "All right, all right."
There's a good fluffy girl. Say aaaah.
"Aaaah." Leaning forward, Kiyoko bites the shrimp off your chopsticks, then - settles back, chewing.
"What a poetic expression of affection — Father and Mother feeding each other
like a newlywed couple."
The two of you turn to see Kinu coming down the path with her own tray, taking
small, careful steps as she approaches. Your fox-daughter gracefully seats
herself down on the box with the two of you, then begins alongside the both of
you.
"I suppose I should have had more, but I will be doing this again for Nakano
later on, too..."
Kiyoko sighs softly. "Put in some extra effort for that boy, daughter. He's
worth it."
Wait, did Kinu see you —
Kiyoko just shrugs and smiles sadly. "It's best our daughter have a good model
to follow in her own relationship. That's as much as we can do at this point.
"It's not so often that we get to do things together, Falken. Let's set this
aside and enjoy the moment, shall we? It is, after all, the beginning of a new
year."
Yeah... you pat Kinu between her ears, and your daughter holds herself with
perfect grace while she continues emptying the bowl. Bit by bit, the food
gradually disappears, and eventually there're three empty bowls on the tray.
"I am sated." With that, Kinu rises to her feet and gathers all the utensils
onto her own tray. "Please, allow me to bring these back, and enjoy yourselves.
This is but a small service from me as your daughter to my parents."
Wait, you —
"Shush, beloved. She went to all the trouble of setting this up for us, after
all. Come now, let's not ruin the mood of what's supposed to be an auspicious
day, shall we?"
"Well, there's a little ritual I'd like to introduce you to," Kiyoko says, a
twinkle in her eye. "If you wouldn't mind?"
A ritual, eh? Oh, you know she's up to something when she's got that mischievous
air about her. Guess you don't mind playing along; you know that your kitsune
wife here would never mean you any actual harm.
"Right. Follow me, please."
The two of you eventually come to another section of crater's edge, not too far
away from the cavern shrine where you first found the amulet that started all
this. You'd never noticed it before — and unsurprisingly so, considering how
well hidden it is — but there's a little gazebo-like structure planted squarely
on the border between civilization and wilderness. Hanging from rust-flecked
chains are a huge bell and a clapper the size and length of a tree trunk; the
bell itself is huge, ancient, and covered with all sorts of carvings and patches
of greenish patina.
"It's very inspiring that it's stood after two and a half centuries. Originally,
it was meant to be an alarm, but I think we've progressed past simple bells at
this point. Even so, one of the first things I had Kinu do when we emerged was
to have the clapper replaced. At this point, there's more to this than just
practicality, after all."
You look bell and clapper alike and give the former a rap with your knuckles. - Solid bronze, indeed. So, you take it that you're supposed to ring the bell?
Kiyoko nods and smiles. "A hundred and eight times, to be precise. One for each
of the proscribed mental states which Lord Keros warns leads to unwholesome
actions."
Unwholesome actions... that's one way of putting it. A hundred and eight
times... that's quite a few.
"I'll help you, of course. No one said you were doing this alone."
Ah, right. It'll be a lot easier with two people instead of one. Did she use to
do this a lot in the past?
"During my captivity? Not so much; there wasn't a reason to observe the new year
when time simply blended into a blur, one day flowing into the next like the one
that came before it. Before that, though, when I was a girl in the Old
Country... haha, three or four of us would be clamouring to have a go at the
clapper under my mother's watchful eye." Sniffling a little, Kiyoko wipes a
stray tear from her cheek. "It was a small wonder we ever managed to finish
ringing it before the sun came up."
...
"Come, now. Shall we get started?"
Of course. Stepping over to the large wooden clapper, you take it under an arm
and test its weight. This sure is some solid wood, and the chains, though
flecked with a patina of green, look sturdy enough. Kiyoko steps back and
observes you closely as you take a deep breath to steel yourself, draw back the
clapper, and send it crashing into the large bronze bell with all your might.
Bong...
The sound rings out through the air, loud and clear despite the bell's age. It
resonates in your bones, bounces about in your head, and eventually leaves you,
but not without leaving you feeling thoroughly rattled — but oddly enough, in a
good way. By the time the last echo finally fades, you're tingling from head to
toe as if you'd just been zapped with a burst of static.
A small smattering of applause. "Not bad, Falken. One hundred and seven more
times to go, then."
Phew...
It's hard at first, especially when you need to stop and recover from the
tremendous, clarion ringing each time, but eventually both your muscles and
skull get used to it and it's not so bad by the twentieth or so strike of the
bell. By the forty-second strike, you're starting to feel it in your joints, and
Kiyoko offers to take over for a while and let you rest a bit. It's a small
mercy you eagerly accept, and you let her have it all to herself while you shake
out your shoulders and waist. There's a nice mossy stone to one side where you
can get a good view of the proceedings, and it's this you lean against while
watching Kiyoko go at it.
Despite being small and slight, your foxy lover's clearly no stranger to this;
where she lacks in strength, she makes up for in technique, moving her body with
the natural flow of the clapper as she strikes the bell over and over again.
Kiyoko's natural wiggliness and flexibility as a kitsune comes in handy as she
leverages her body weight into the equation.
"Sixty-three, sixty-four, sixty-five. Phew. It's your turn once more, beloved."
Oh, already? She looked like she was having so much fun there. - "Oh, I was, no doubt about that. However, as you're the guest tonight, it's
important for you to get the best experience you can out of the ceremonies."
Ha, since she put it so nicely, you guess you don't have a choice...
Just as you're about to get up and reclaim your old spot, though, you spy a
familiar figure approaching the both of you. It's not hard to recognize your
firstborn daughter at a distance, not when her silvery-white hair and fur
glimmer like that when the moonbeams strike them. Coming to a stop before the
two of you, Kinu announces her presence by way of coughing gently, and gives
both Kiyoko and you a small bow.
Now, what is she doing here?
"Father, Mother, I would like to ring the bell with you. The dishes are cleaned
and put away, so if you do not mind my presence..."
You look between the bell clapper, practically the size of a tree trunk, then
back at Kinu. Is she sure about that?
"Ah... I would like to think that Mother's exercise regimen has done me some
good. If you do not mind... I may have a slight stature, but appearances can be
deceiving... "
Kiyoko taps her chin. "Hmm. What do you say, love?"
She's a grown woman now, and no longer a child. There're only about forty more
strikes of the bell to go, and you get the feeling that things would be a lot
more fun if you did this as a family. So yes, you'd love to have her go at it
with you.
So it comes to pass that the three of you arrange yourselves about the clapper
as a family, with you in front, Kiyoko behind, and Kinu sandwiched between you
two. Once more, you draw back the clapper by its chains and strike the bell with
all your might.
Bong...
Kinu keeps a tight hold on the clapper, drawing it back with the rest of you.
She doesn't have that much strength by herself, but with the three of you
working together, everything seems to go forward so much more smoothly.
Bong...
Kiyoko sure is putting her back into it, too, despite how obviously pregnant she
is. You don't often see her openly sweat, but there it is, beads forming on her
soft skin despite the cool air. Judging by the smile on her face, she's enjoying
herself... but who wouldn't, surrounded by family like this?
Bong.
Has it been a hundred and eight tolls of the bell already? It doesn't feel like
it — . But neither your foxy wife nor your fluffy daughter are revving up the
clapper for another strike, so it must be over. You wipe the sweat from your
brow, take a few deep breaths, and contemplate the matter in silence. Sure, it
was a lot of hard work, and this isn't part of your own culture... but by being
here with Kiyoko and Kinu, there's no doubt it's been worth your while.
Your fox-wife gives you a smile. "Happy new year, beloved."
Kinu smiles and daintily wipes the sweat from her brow. "Father, Mother, look.
The first sunrise of the year." - She's not wrong. From where you stand, you can see a dull orange glow cresting
the lip of the crater, slowly pushing away the inky darkness of the starry night
sky. As you watch, transfixed, Kiyoko comes up to your side and melts against
your shoulder, draping herself on you with a smile.
"Happy new year, Falken. May it be a successful and prosperous one for you."
The same for her — and of course, Kinu as well.
"Happy new year, Father."
Yep, it's been only a few minutes into the new year, and things are looking up
already. Well then, it's probably time for you to head to bed... this time with
your fox-wife. To be able to go to bed with Kiyoko... ah, this is what you
fought so hard for. Small blessings for the new year. Scooping your kitsune wife
and hearing Kinu squeal behind you at the sight, you head straight for the
kitsune shrine and bed.
There was so much sweetness in this that I think I’ve gone diabetic from too much
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