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Then, in a single, fluid, impossible maneuver, she slid her cup around the table in an arc, and knocked it into your cup. As a result of this, your cup zipped back towards Ami Han's waiting hand, and her cup slid into place, right below your hand. It all happened so fast that you almost couldn’t believe you saw it.
<span class="mu-s">“Just a little prank. No hard feelings?”</span>
Without breaking eye contact, you lifted the cup to your mouth and gave it an experimental sniff.
Ami Han frowned and lowered her head until her hair draped over the table and fell over her face. You started glancing around the room a little more actively.
<span class="mu-s">“You really are a nice kid. Still trying to be courteous to me, in spite of everything.”</span>
She rested her elbow on the table, picked her head up, and placed it in her hand.
<span class="mu-s">“For what it is worth…I regret what I did to you. And…I came to make things right.”</span>
You slowly lowered your cup, staring at her in bewilderment. What did she just…?
<span class="mu-s">“But, in order to achieve that,”</span> she went on. <span class="mu-s">“We need the help of your patron.”</span>
You furrowed your brow.
<span class="mu-s">“You need Khonshu's help? What for?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“I am…being pursued by Tamamo no Mae.”</span> Ami Han admitted.
Your eyes widened.
<span class="mu-s">“Isn't that like, the most infamous Kitsune, and one of the worst Yokai in all of Japan? THAT ‘Tamamo no Mae’? You want Khonshu to deal with her for you?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“Tamamo has powers on par with a god. Who else would be better at dealing with her than an actual god?”</span> she offered.
You groaned and your frown deepened.
<span class="mu-s">“So you really just came here for a favor.”</span> you accused.
<span class="mu-s">“Not just for my sake.”</span> she claimed, forming a silent fox with her hand and peering through it at you. <span class="mu-s">“I had my suspicions before, but seeing you now, I'm certain of it.”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“Certain of what?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“Our spirits. They are resonating. Our souls are linked through my magic essence.”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“And that's what turned me into a fox?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“My power is manifesting through our shared bond. Your spirit is being infused with it, giving you a measure of my power. With each tail you take, you become a little more like me.”</span>
Your eyebrows narrowed.
<span class="mu-s">“What do you mean by ‘take’?”</span>
Ami Han sighed, and stepped back into the living room. Before, when she'd first barged in here, you counted nine tails. Now, there were only four.
<span class="mu-s">“Where’d they go?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“You tell me. They're on <span class="mu-i">your</span> butt.”</span> she said, pointing a claw at you.
So…you're sharing tails with Ami Han? Is she seriously asking for help, or did she come back here to reclaim her lost power?
<span class="mu-s">“There aren’t enough tails or talismans between us to fend off Tamamo and her servants.”</span>
You raised your hands defensively.
<span class="mu-s">“Who's ‘us’!? I didn't piss off Tamamo!”</span>
Ami Han shook her head.
<span class="mu-s">“She won't care. Tamamo wants my tails, and she won't care whose spine she needs to rip them out of.”</span>
It's okay, Cindy. Breathe slow. Long inhale, long exhale…
