A New Challenger Appears! [Semi-Closed]

[fox_shuuichi]

WHO: The Medicine Seller (sou_desu_ne) and Kurama (fox_shuuichi). For logical reasons, open to those who live and work in Paradise Blossoms.
WHAT: An offer of employment - and the possible shenanigans that result from mixing demons with hunters.
WHERE: Paradise Blossoms
WHEN: The day of the Medicine Seller's post.

Comments

[sou_desu_ne]

The Medicine Seller's presence was announced by the slight tinkle of bells as he stood outside the door, twirling his umbrella in one hand.

Yes. He could feel it now, even if it was foggy. He couldn't tell if this person was simply an ayakashi, a normal kitsune, or a full-blown mononoke, and even then he had the view that he needed to wait and be patient. Sometimes, there was no need to interfere at all.

He stood at the door, waiting, and mumbling softly to himself about nothing particular.

[fox_shuuichi]

The soft chime of bells caught Kurama's attention, and for a moment, he froze, his hands on the plant before him as he knelt on the floor of the shop tending to a plant that had grown weak and sickly.

Quickly, he pulled his energy back with a snap - there was no way of knowing if this newcomer could sense energy signatures, but it was better to be safe than to be discovered for what he truly was.

Then, slowly, showing no signs of his inner turmoil, he pulled his hands back, dusted them off lightly onto the apron he was wearing, and stood, unfolding his lean form deliberately. For a moment, he simply stood, his back to the door, then fixed a smile firmly on his face and turned.

"Welcome," he said, careful to keep his voice light, soft, and unthreatening.

"You must be my potential new employee. What do you think of the shop?"

[sou_desu_ne]

He felt the energy suddenly subside; but not before he'd felt enough to know that this one was probably a kitsune. Still, he did not seem malevolent, which was what the Medicine Seller looked for; and if not a malevolent demon, then he had no quarrel with the man.

He said nothing at first, simply stepping in, observing the flowers and walking around. After a pause that was uncomfortably long, he spoke, softly.

"It is... lovely."

[fox_shuuichi]

Kurama was not one so easily perturbed - give it more than a thousand years, and silences stop meaning much, in the bigger picture. So he simply held his ground, letting his gaze follow the newcomer around the shop, but never turning his body - a subtle assertion of pride.

I do not fear you - take my back, if you'd like. I have the power to stop you no matter where you might choose to come from.

At the compliment, he inclined his head once more.

"My thanks," he answered, matching that soft tone, "though I cannot take all the credit - I...inherited the shop, as it were, from the previous owner, who is much to thank for the layout and the basic selection."

"My name is Minamino Shuuichi," he added, almost as an afterthought. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

And he was, he was surprised to find. There was a subtle play going on here, one he appreciated - a battle of wills and of wits, perhaps, the likes of which he had been missing in this place. No one seemed quite willing to play this type of game - no one but the doctor

fff I am so late.

[sou_desu_ne]

The Medicine Seller nodded slowly. The shop was lovely; and it looked as though quite a lot of the plants he would need would be found here.

Yes. This would suffice. And if this Minamino did, in fact, turn out to be a Mononoke (it was very possible; but as the Scales were not functioning yet he had no way of telling), well, then he would be in a very fine position to find out what the man's Truth and Regret were.

And if he was wrong, and the kitsune was just that? Well, no harm done, and he had a job.

"The pleasure is mine," he said. "Now, I must inquire about the position. What would be my duties...?"