4006/A Meeting in the Ring

A Meeting in the Ring
Date of Scene:	13 April 2016
Location:	Njorun Station - Ring of Philosophy
Synopsis:	Not knowing what a kirin is, or perhaps curious that she's really a kirin, a few Unionites go to meet Shunrin in the Ring of Philosophy.
Cast of Characters:	20, Rebecca Chambers, 319, 707, 970, Silica

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Shunrin (970) has posed:
Welcome to the Ring of Philosophy! It's very big and it's made of white marble. It also has neat magitech holodeck simulator qualities, but those aren't too important today, because they're all on standby.

What there /is/ is a nice raked sand floor, with a single figure in the middle of it, of approximately average height. A young woman, by the look of her; she's wearing rich silk robes, richly embroidered, displaying some sort of blossoming flower in repeating motifs throughout; all in shades of spring green.

That green complements her very red hair, so red as to be reminiscent of fire, almost a different shade every time the light touches it. Her eyes match the robes, deep green, and her skin somewhat pale. At the moment she's reading from a parchment scroll as she waits for others to arrive, frowning very slightly.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    New allies is always interesting, and since videos and photos don't exactly do much for a certain young earthbender, Toph had decided to take Shunrin up on her invitation. Besides, it's not that often she stops by Njorun nowadays. Though she doesn't bother with dressing up besides some comfy cargo pants, a loose sweater and her hairbun held in place with a scarf. As usual she's got a bag flung over her shoulder.

    The sand floor earns a slight frown as the teenager arrives, and she toes at it as she heads towards where she can make out a shape there. Although it's somewhat fuzzy and unclear compared to more solid variations of earth. "So you're that Shunrin lady or what?" she inquires, her own voice easy to recognise most likely. "From what I can tell you seem human..." she adds, reaching a hand up to rub at her chin, a pensive expression on her face.

Fayt Ravus (319) has posed:
    A new ally? Well it'd be a good idea to say 'hi' then.
    
That's what Fayt thought as he walked into the ring. the tiny trader carefully glancing around for signs of life. "Hello? Hopefully I'm in the right instance."

Shunrin (970) has posed:
To the subtleties of Seismic Sense, the young woman in the silk robes is not quite right. Something about her is off, although it might take a second or three of study to determine what. Her weight doesn't quite add up. She's too light, as though somewhat insubstantial -- light-boned and delicate beyond what she should be for her shape.

"Of course I am." Of course she's Shunrin, that is. The woman tilts her head slightly at Toph, watching the earthbender from the corner of a green eye. "But I am not human, although I may look it."

And suddenly there is a stuffgetter. Fayt earns a somewhat owlish blink. "That would depend on what you are looking for. Or did you, too, come to meet me?"

Silica has posed:
    MINUTES AGO: Keiko was sat in her bedroom, having just finished her homework when she noticed her cat 'cuddling' the 'strange talky box' again. She sighed, and walked over, taking the Radio out of the cat's grasp to a disappointed 'mewp'. "I told you not to play with that!" she sighed again, "Hi! I hope Pina didn't annoy anyone."

    In the conversation that followed, she heard about a 'Giraffe lady' or something, and so, with a quick, practiced set of motions, she grabbed her AmuSphere from its hook, laid down on her bed and logged into ALO.

    NOW: Silica, the Cait Sith, steps out of the central elevator of Njorun's trunk, and onto the Recreation Branch, following signs toward the Ring of Philosophy, where this 'Kirin' lady was going to meet people. She's following on the heels of Toph and Fayt, caramel brown ears perked forwards, as her pet dragon perches atop her head, little claws anchored to stay in place. "Um... Hi? Is this the right place to meet the---" and her question is answered before it's asked. "... You don't look like a griaffe." she says plainly, before walking on over, magenta eyes studying Shunrin curiously. "Hi! I'm Silica!"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Perhaps it's the sand that sets things off, but indeed, Shunrin does seem awfully light. And it's easier to notice just how much lighter she is compared to Fayt and Silica when they arrive. "Hey, I have no idea what you look like, which is why I asked," she says with an amused shrug. "Awfully light on your feet, huh..." Might even think she's an airbender, but no... they have normal weight, they just move lightly.

    "Heya Stuffy, long time no see." Fayt isn't somebody she hangs out with a lot really. And this is the first time she's meeting Silica too. "Heh, nice to meet you for the first time too. And why the crud would she look like a giraffe? Her neck is obviously not THAT long!" Toph states and points directly at Shunrin.

Fayt Ravus (319) has posed:
    Fayt glances over at Shunrin. "Ah, Yes. When you said you'd be here I figured I should stop by." Fayt suddenly straightens up, his voice being more professional that Toph might be used to. "Hello, My name is Fayt, leaderof black Dragon Shipping, I would like to take this moment to welcome you to the Union, and ask that you please let me know if you require anything. It's my job here."

Yes, it's a meet and greet and Fayt's here on business. Granted, Fayt's appearance doesn't quite scream corporate bigwig, but still...

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
An actual qilin ... Xiaomu never thought she'd get the chance to meet one in person; supposedly they only appear *VERY* rarely, and only to those who may receive the Mandate of Heaven to become Emperor over the territory that most people call 'China'. But then, that's what the myths of *her* world of origin have to say; the kirin who said she'd be in the Ring of Philosophy is from a different world entirely, so the myths of Xiaomu's knowledge might not even apply.

At any rate, Xiaomu makes a point of approaching audibly: she's not stomping around or anything, but the butt of her staff strikes the ground firmly enough to make the rings hanging off of its headpiece jingle noticeably as the sage fox enters the Ring of Philosophy. "Hey everyone," she greets the group casually, waving with her free hand. "Fayt, how's business? And hey, you all - Toph, right?" She recognizes the earthbender's voice, at least. And the way she talks.

"I'm Xiaomu, agent of Shinra, associate member of Heaven or Hell," the foxgirl finishes, bowing politely to the others. "It's good to meet you all!"

Shunrin (970) has posed:
Not only does the kirin move lightly, she just doesn't weigh as much as she should. Her footprint is just too light for a normal creature, and for those who can sense magic, she's practically a blazing, radiant source of divine energy. The kirin of her world must be powerful, or touched by something powerful.

Silica is eyed somewhat blankly, because even the most outlandish of the Kingdom folk aren't quite so... colourful. Yes, colourful is a good word. Shunrin has no notion of what a giraffe is, though, and so continues to regard Silica somewhat blankly. "You are... beastkin?" But that's not right, either. She's seen cat beastkin, and they don't look quite like that.

"Hmm... greetings." She inclines her head to Fayt, politely. "Black Dragon Shipping. Yes, there are supplies we may require in Shun, and I have the authority to barter for them. Later, perhaps; I am not here on kingdom business."

She doesn't look like a qilin. At least, not in the traditional sense. She's definitely human-looking, and there aren't any flames wreathing her form -- unless one counts her hair, which really is very bright and vibrantly flame-coloured -- or the odd catch of light from the silk embroidery on her robes. Xiaomu, however, is given a brief look. Another beastkin! Well, not quite. "A pleasure to meet you. I am the taiho of Shun, but you may call me Shunrin." She offers a very slight bow -- not out of disrespect, but because that's as far as she can physically move.

Tucking her hands in her sleeves, she tilts her head very faintly. "I am the chief minister of Shun, and advisor to its king; I am also the governor of its capital province. However, I am also Shun's Union liaison. In this, I am to act with royal authority in all matters pertaining to my home kingdom. Therefore, if there is anything you require of Shun, you may ask of me freely."

Silica has posed:
    "Beastkin...?" asks Silica, "This is my ALO Avatar, it's a Cait Sith(Cat See), based on a type of fairy in myth." she explains, then pokes her cheek in thought. She then perks up, and activates her Wings, the four dark yellow spans appearing with the symbol of her race at the center point. "See? I'm a Fairy!" she says, giggling, then looks up at her pet. "Say hello Pina." she says, causing the Feathered Little Dragon to chirp and lift off to flutter over to Shunrin, peering curiously.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Man, so formal. "He's called Stuff Getter," Toph adds to Fayt's spiel. Not that she can blame him for doing his job.

    Xiaomu earns a nod at the question, and Toph grins. "The one and only." Perhaps it's only good that there's one of her that's active in the multiverse at the moment.

    For the moment she's quiet as Shunrin talks, listening intently to her explanation and whatnot. When there's talk of kingdom stuff and royal authority, the teenager does look like she's considering this, and it looks like she's about to speak. Then the earthbender raises her foot, then kicks it down into the sand with a twist. Instantly the sand there hardens into rock, and Toph steps back before she nods down at the ground. "Mind stepping on there so I can get a better look at you? The sand makes it so fuzzy." This is curiousity, and why not learn more? "Just what is a kirin anyway? Can you change your shape?" Shunrin is hardly the first to do so, but it's useful to know.

    More and more people are playing ALO it appears, and Toph turns her head slightly when Pina chirps and Silica activates her wings. "Man, I swear everybody and their grandmother is gonna play that game at this rate."

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Xiaomu pauses, looking Shunrin over, and bows more deeply to her specifically. "It's an honor as well to make your acquaintance, Shunrin," she says - rather more formally than she talks to most people. "If you have need of my services in Shun, please don't hesitate to ask; so far as my time permits, I'll be happy to do what I can for your liege and the peoples of your country."

Silica gets another look now as she explains that she's here in ALO avatar form. "Huh, so you do the same thing Kirito does? Must be handy to be able to do that ..." Toph's earthbending gets Xiaomu's attention as well, and she falls quiet; you can almost hear her wondering how Toph *did* that.

Fayt Ravus (319) has posed:
    ERK! "Yes... Stuff getter." Fayt frowns slightly. Way to go, Toph. "I understand, I hope you'll keep my company in mind when the time comes."

    Now looking somewhat deflated, Fayt turns around as he hears Xiaomu. "Oh hi, it's busy as usual, but that's fine. how are you?" He also gives a nod to Silica as he sees her.

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"I'm afraid I haven't heard of such a creature." Shunrin shakes her head. "If they exist within the Kingdoms, it is a type of demon-beast I have not personally seen--"

Oh hello suddenly wings. Shunrin startles back a pace or two, staring wide-eyed. What manner of foul magic is this!? Apparently she's just a little too startled to grace that with a comment.

Toph earns a similar look when she stomps her foot and raise a pillar of solid rock, but since Toph was nice enough to ask, Shunrin obligingly steps onto the stone. She moves lightly, too lightly; and even Toph's initial picture of her as a creature too light and insubstantial for her own form was correct -- an ethereal sort of creature, like this form is somehow not /quite/ right.

'Just what is a kirin, anyway? Can you change your shape?'

"Very well, then." Shunrin half-smiles. Then, in the blink of an eye, white light seems to radiate from her -- her form wavers, too bright to be seen, before it fades.

Left standing in her place is a creature somewhere between a deer and a horse, with a pelt like richest mahogany, light shimmering along it like sparks from flame; dapples of the same colour running along her back. Her neck is long, her head fine and delicate like a deer's, and jutting from her brow is a single pronged horn. Her eyes are the same bright green. Falling over her neck and shoulders is a long, flame-coloured mane; her hooves are the same dark as her horn. Her tail is much the same colour as her mane, reflecting firelight whenever the light touches it.

"This, perhaps, is a better reprsentation of what I am." Although her mouth never moves, the words are clear, and spoken in the same voice. "Although most of my kind are not this colour. A red kirin is a rarity, much as a black kirin or a white kirin."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Seriously, shouldn't people who have been in the Union for a while know who she is? While Toph doesn't turn her head towards Xiamou she does pay attention to Shunrin for now, especially when she is nice enough to step onto the rocky ground. And when Shunrin changes her shape, Toph's eyes widen slightly in surprise before she grins and points at the kirin. "Oh, you're kinda like a deeralope," the earthbender concludes before she crosses her arms across her chest, leaning a bit closer to Shunrin. Of course she doesn't care much for colours, and it's simpler for her to compare stuff to things from her own world.

Rebecca Chambers has posed:
The sound of a girl humming can be heard getting closer and closer to the area. When it gets close enough to truly be heard, one would see that it's Rebecca Chambers on duty. Even while in uniform and on patrol, Rebecca still tries to keep an easygoing and casual attitude amongst her. She seems to be humming something similar to the Moonlight Sonata, only with a more upbeat twist to it. As she enters, she smiles and waves to those she recognizes while saying, "Hello everyone," since she knows Toph is blind and can't see her waving. She starts to look forward again when she does a double-take and looks again. "A newcomer?" Rebecca asks to herself as she gets closer.

    Upon getting closer to Shunrin and smiles. "Hello and welcome to the Union! I'm Rebecca Chambers and it's nice to meet you!" She seems to have an outgoing and friendly attitude within her today.

Fayt Ravus (319) has posed:
    Fayt... blinks.

    Shunrin's change is surprising, that much is obvious, and Fayt finds himself trying to keep composed and not freak out or otherwise overreact. It mostly comes off as Fayt having a stunned look on is face and trying not to stare too much. "I... see."

Silica has posed:
    What /is/ that high pitch sound? It wasn't there a minute ago! It seems to be coming from Silica's direction. She's got her mouth covered with her hands, eyes wide as she stares at the revealed Kirin.

    The real thing that would stand out, /is/ standing out, straight, puffed up and slightly vibrating. Silica's tail, that is.

    Pina blinkblinks then flutters to land on the Kirin's back, nestling down and taking a nap right there, while its master appears to be having a squeegasm.

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"Deeralope?" One loppy ear flicks, and Shunrin tilts her head to regard Toph. Even in her beastly form, the confusion is obvious. "I don't know what that is, but kirin have been compared to deer, before, by those who have not seen them. There are no more than twelve at any given time; one to serve each kingdom, although there are not always twelve alive at the same time."

Her body is a lot like a deer or horse, but where a deer or horse would have a solidity to it, hers is more... light, somehow; ethereal. Small wonder these are the fastest creatures in the Kingdoms -- even without factoring in the supernatural, she looks like she was made for running, light and fast as the wind itself.

Both loppy ears perk briefly at the sound of humming, and the kirin's head swivels around to note Rebecca's arrival. One ear turns back slightly as the stranger approaches. "Hello. I am the taiho of Shun, but you may call me Shunrin," she responds, somewhat awkwardly; put off, perhaps, by Rebecca's... straightforwardness. Are kirin so common in some places?

Her head twitches to one side and -- hello, high pitched sound, and something lands on her back. Shurnin twitches one shoulder, dancing neatly to one side and possibly dislodging Pina in the process. "You asked," she points out, and though her face never moves, one might get the impression of that half-smile. "This is what a kirin is, although much of the time we may appear human. But that is only a seeming; that does not change what we truly are." Bending her head, she seizes her robe with her teeth, flinging it over her back. "We are the fastest of creatures in the Kingdoms, for only a kirin may run upon the wind."

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Xiaomu waves to Rebecca, grinning at the STARS operative/medic, but most of her attention is on Shunrin's 'true' form. Which is ... well, pretty cool.

Never mind that Silica's squeeing has Xiaomu's ears about as flat against her hair as they'll go. She recognizes the emotion and even kinda shares in it; as noted, most people NEVER get to see a real qilin, especially up close and personal like this. No wonder the imperial courts mistook giraffes for the legendary creatures. "So how did your liege ... eh, never mind, it's not really my business to ask. He drew you to him and won your loyalty; that's all we really need to know."

Xiaomu pulls a package of fried tofu out of her vest, peeling it open, and offers a piece to Shunrin. "I forget what qilin normally eat, sorry. Seems a little rude not to offer you something, though."

And there's plenty of fried tofu to go around for the others, although it's not going to be much more than a light snack.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "It's what it sounds like," Toph concludes without feeling like going into too many details. "So you're some rare magical creatures, huh. Are you all related or something?" But if they all serve different kingdoms... Ah well, it might not matter that much at the moment. What matters is that Shunrin seems likeable and whatnot, right?

    Somehow she thinks Aang would have liked to meet her too, with all the running upon the wind and all. Toph even grins slightly at the thought. "Well, it's kinda obvious you're not what you seem, you're awfully light on your feet. Or hooves."

    Silica's squeeing does make Toph arch her eyebrows slightly. Really, is this really worth all that noise? "Settle down before you pop an aneurism or something?" she teases to the other girl. And when Becky arrives the other girl earns a punch to the arm. "Heya Chambers, whassup?" For the record, while she didn't technically see the waving, she is still aware of it.

Silica has posed:
    It's only when people react that Silica comes out of that little stupor. Eyes blink, ears flatten and cheeks flush bright red as her tail loops tightly around her waist. Hands lift to cover her entire face as she bows over almost in half. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

    Pina, meanwhile, is dislodged from its chosen spot. It chirps curiously, but then flutters over to Xiaomu, seemingly recognizing her from that time with the robots and the landslide.

Rebecca Chambers has posed:
Rebecca smiles at Xiaomu also before returning the look to Shunrin. "Pleasure to meet you, Shunrin!" She notices that Shunrin seems a little put off by Rebecca's forwardness, but Rebecca doesn't seem to mind it too much. She figures everyone's different and that's just how it is. "I'm just doing an evening patrol and I happened to stop in here, good thing I did!"

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"Aspirants to the Jewelled Throne are brought before the Mountain of the Sage's Brush," Shunrin explains. "There they will present themselves to the kirin and make offerings to the Emperor of Heaven. They arrive in thousands; even hundreds of thousands, crossing the Yellow Sea to the Gate of Virtue. I suppose 'choose' is a misnomer. No kirin consciously chooses their king. They see the kingly aura, or receive some sign from the Emperor of Heaven, that this is the one."

She shifts her weight, switching that flame-coloured tail in thought. "I have heard that some experience the aura as fear or awe, and others as great joy; and terrible sorrow when the king leaves their presence. No kirin enjoys being separated from their liege. At our king's side... that is where we are meant to be, whoever that king may be. Even if it is someone we detest, we are bound to serve them."

Those long ears prick forward at the offered tofu, and her head lowers (carefully, to avoid touching Xiaomu with that horn) to sniff at it. Her breath is warm. "Thank you. We are herbivores. We cannot abide flesh, for it will taint us; but beyond that, we are largely tolerant." In other words, bring it on, cuisine of the multiverse! DO YOUR WORST. Wait 'til she discovers ice cream. "I appreciate the gesture. That is most kind of you."

Her head turns to Toph, still munching the tofu. Apparently her speech is not really speech; the fact that she's politely munching on a chunk of fried tofu doesn't affect her words at all. "We are no more related than..." One ear turns back in indecision. "Oh. Yes. You are like the sea-guests and the mountain-guests... ah. No, it does not work that way. We are kirin, and we will work in harmony when we are required to work together, but that is the only kinship we share. We are not 'born' as you know it. We are hatched from the eggfruit of the holy Sati-tree. All folk of the Kingdoms are born this way, although only kirin are hatched from the Sati-tree."

Shunrin laughs when Silica finishes squeeing. "Do not worry. It is rare for even the people of the Kingdoms to see kirin. We are quite busy, much of the time; our duties consume us."

"A pleasure to meet you, then, Rebecca Chambers." She tilts her head slightly to one side. "Are you a soldier of some manner? Your uniform is not like any soldiers' uniform I have seen, if so."

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Xiaomu's careful enough that Shunrin doesn't have to worry too much about where her horn goes; she may be a friend to humanity as a whole, but Xiaomu *is* still a youkai and as such, is appropriately careful about Extremely Holy and Pure Things. "So I remembered that much right," she says quietly at the confirmation that kirin are herbivores. The package of tofu is offered around to the others present; after anyone who wants a piece has taken one, Xiaomu takes one for herself, munching contentedly.

"And I can't blame Silica for geeking out like that about meeting an honest-to-heaven kirin," the sage fox adds. "It's kind of a big thing in the mythologies of our Earths. Shun sounds like an interesting land to visit sometime, though ... is it generally a peaceful country? No monsters who'd pose a threat to the myriad people?"

Silica has posed:
    Silica straightens up, still blushing rather brightly and avoiding eye contact, when she suddenly tenses up, looking at something in her field of vision. "O-Oh... Mom says it's dinnertime..." she muses after 'tapping' the air and seemingly reading something for a few seconds. "I, should log out... Never done it outside of the game though." she ponders a moment, then makes another gesture, 'drawing' something down with her left hand, tapping a few points in the air, then with a wave of her right hand, both she and Pina vanish in a dissolving blue-white light.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Somehow it seems as if Toph isn't too happy with some of the things Shunrin explains to them, at least judging by her face as she frowns slightly. "So... you have no choice in who you serve?" That... must be horrible to not have a choice in those matters. "That sounds... miserable." Sure, she could say it a little bit harsher if she wanted to, but... it might not be the best diplomacy. Her thoughts should be easily read on her face however.

    Another reason why Aang and Shunrin would get along, as they are both vegetarians. And while Toph might prefer meat, she doesn't turn down the tofu snack that Xiaomu offers. "Thanks."

    She does look a bit curious when Silica has to go and 'logs out' after waving her hands in the air. Mental note, drag Silica with her to visit the badgermoles sometime. Her attention returns back to Shunrin when she talks. "I dunno what you mean when you say sea-guests or mountain-guests, but I guess I'm closer to mountains than anything. And as for most of us in the Union, we're soldiers of some kind." Even if they don't look like it.

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"Shun would be delighted to welcome any visitors, especially our esteemed allies among the Union." Shunrin seems genuinely pleased about this prospect. "You are most welcome. There is a warpgate that admits visitors directly to Kyosai, the capital city. It is very peaceful. The Herald-King has sat the Jewelled Throne for sixty-two years, and there have been no demon-beasts since. So long as a king sits the throne, a kingdom will not suffer incursions of demons."

She looks over as Silica bows out, inclining her head politely. "Go well, then, Silica--" And then Silica vanish. Shunrin blinks those almond-shaped eyes a few times, staring, before looking back to Toph. Both of those floppy ears flick back momentarily before pricking forward again.

"A king is always suitable. Perhaps they may not get along, at first, but a king and kirin must work together if they are to be suitable rulers." She lifts her head just slightly, tossing her mane, rippling in colours of fire. "Fortunately, most kings, I understand, are capable of working well with their kirin. And we cannot defy a king's order, even if it is against our nature."

"Ah... these people were visitors to the Kingdoms before... Unification?" Shunrin ventures, uncertainly. "In our world, there are sometimes storms, 'shoku,' that mix the fabric of the two worlds themselves, and sometimes people are brought from Over There to the Kingdoms, or vice-versa. Even kirin have been known to be lost this way. But the process of Unification has... changed something, I think, for we have seen fewer sea-guests and mountain-guests, although we have had many more travellers from the multiverse itself. I am not certain what that means, however."

Both ears droop a little at mention of soldiers. "I see. I am no soldier. I do not like fighting. No kirin does. We abhor violence and cannot abide blood. Even thinking about it makes me queasy." She shakes her head, ears flopping a little. "I am only here as a liaison, and prefer to settle things peaceably." In other words, Shun's army is there to back her up when kirin negotiation fails.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "As long as you don't get unjust rulers who don't use their heads and refuse to listen to reason..." Toph sighs. Because in her opinion, that's always a danger. Especially according to her experiences, and the girl /does/ have a problem with authority.

    The reaction Shunrin has is interesting. Meat taints kirin, as does blood? So they are kinda pure physical spirits of some sort, it seems like. Curious... "Well, I don't like blood myself. But I love fighting," Toph admits with a shrug and not looking apologetic about her 'confession'. It's not like she hides it. "Sometimes you can't negotiate, and then you have to be ready to fight for what's right and stand up for those who need protection. If you do need some help if things don't go exactly as planned, feel free to ask. We're not the kind of people who want violence, but we're ready to fight in order to stop it."

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
"Nobody sane should enjoy shedding blood," Xiaomu comments. "And if you want the thrill of combat, there's plenty of ways to fight without making death part of the equation." She gestures at the Ring of Philosophy around the group. "And for people who don't want to fight, or can't protect themselves - well, that's part of why we've got the Union, banding together so we can protect each other, right?"

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"A king who cannot rule justly does not hold his throne for long. If a king cannot rule with compassion and wisdom, his kirin falls ill and begins to waste away; this is known as 'losing-of-the-Way,'" Shunrin explains. "If a king corrects his rule, the kirin will recover, but it is rare. More often, the kirin will die, and then, in a short time, so too will the king. Another kirin will grow upon the Sati-tree and search for a new ruler."

She shakes her head; an unnervingly human gesture in that inhuman body. "Sadly, not all are inclined to listen to reason, once they have committed themselves to the incorrect path."

"I... appreciate that." She says the words, but the kirin's admission seems somehow dubious. Even the idea of violence makes them uncomfortable, it seems. "It isn't even the possibility of death. We simply don't like violence. I do not enjoy the idea of fighting. And if I need protection, I have my sirei."

There's a short pause, and then Shunrin flops both ears to the side. Oh, they probably don't know what those are.

"Oh." She glances to one side. "Suokou. Jyosai."

At those words, presumably names, two creatures materialise from the very air beside Shunrin. The one on the left is a thin, red-furred, dog-like creature with a sharp muzzle and large, pointed ears. Its jaws loll open in a doggy grin, showing sharp teeth. On her other side, a large red-furred creature materialises, a vaguely wolf-like creature with great sweeping wings, black feet, and a sharp black beak with, curiously, teeth even within the beak. Its yellow eyes are the colour of the sun. It flicks a wing and settles on its haunches, staring.

"All kirin have subdued demons as their guardians and protectors. Although demons are outside the Order of Heaven, by subduing them, we bring them into the Order of Heaven, and name them; and in so doing they are loyal to us until we die. So we are not entirely without protection."

They'll sit and wait and let the strangers poke and prod at them; those are very big teeth, but presumably they're on good behaviour because their mistress is right here. In fact, the hound-like one yawns, deliberately showing its needle-sharp teeth. It has a lot of them.

"I suppose so. I still prefer to settle things peaceably," Shunrin admits.

The beaked wolf-like demon cocks its head. <They can't stand violence, you know. It's useless to try and convince it.> Its yellow eyes settle on Toph. <It's against their nature. They can't fight any more than they can defy their king's orders. Fortunately, they have us.> It yawns, too, showing its own teeth. The implication is clear. The kirin has someone it doesn't like, the sirei can chomp 'em in half. Or something.

"/Jyosai/..."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Nodding in agreement, Toph gestures to Xiaomu. "What she said. I like fighting, not killing. Besides, it can be a fun way to make friends when you spar, kick each other's asses around a bit and then laugh it off later!" And then you get to compare bruises.

    Oh. Toph's expression falls when Shunrin explains matters regarding unjust kings and what happens in that case. There's genuine surprise there on her face, and she... actually looks like she regrets her earlier words. The Kirin really have little say in their fate, don't they? Just what kind of existence is that? It does take a few seconds before she clears her throat and speaks up. "I hope your king is a good king then, I know I wouldn't want to work for somebody I don't get along with..." Not to mention having to risk dying.

    Sirei is another strange new word, and Toph looks curious as she cants her head. When the two creatures appear out of seemingly nowhere she tilts her head. A dog and a... wolf bat? For now Toph isn't about to prod and poke at them, though she doesn't seem scared either. "Well, glad to hear you have some means of protecting yourself. The offer still stands though, as we have many different talents gathered in the Union." When the wolf bat creature speaks however, Toph blinks. "Hey, I wasn't trying to convince her, I'm just stating facts here in case she might need more help."

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
"I oughta brush up on my Confucianism," Xiaomu muses, nodding at Shunrin's explanation of what happens to a king who loses the Way - or rather, to his kirin.

Then Shunrin introduces her guardian demons; Xiaomu bows politely to these two as well. She does not offer fried tofu, though, unless Shunrin indicates it might be a welcome offering.

Before the sage fox can say much further, though, there's a chiming noise from Xiaomu's phone; she fishes it out to mute the alarm and see what it is. "- ah, I'd better head back to my native Tokyo. Gotta get a couple of things on the way, and I don't want the stores to close before I get those errands done. Been great to meet you guys; I'll see you all around!"

Another bow to Shunrin - Xiaomu's possibly being atypically respectful - and a good-natured squeeze to Toph's shoulder (if the earthbender lets Xiaomu lay hands on her, anyway), and then the sage fox hurries out towards the Njorun warpgate nexus.

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"Of course my king is a good king, or he would not have ruled Shun for so long." Shunrin seems to perk up a lot at that, ears pricking up and head tilting to one side; the creature practically radiates adoration. "I would do anything for my king. He is a wise ruler, and compassionate, may his reign last a thousand years."

Going by the look of those creatures, they'd prefer meat. Rare meat. Meat so rare it's still bloody. Or maybe just blood. Every square inch of them screams 'big predatory beast.' Fortunately, they seem both sentient and on their best behaviour.

Once their presence is no longer needed, the sirei vanish, rippling out of existence as smoothly as they'd arrived.

"Farewell," Shunrin tosses after Xiaomu, offering a short bob of her head. "I should return to my king, as well." Twisting her head to grab hold of the robe with her teeth, she turns, leaping for the entrance -- an astounding feat of agility. Her hooves click neatly as she reaches the marble entryway, and when she lunges into a dead run out of the facility, her very form seems to blur with the speed; like a comet of flame. Just like that, she takes to the air itself over the crowds to, as she had put it earlier, run upom the wind.