starsand | Starnet | un: pensandviolence

I can get you a gun no problem! It'll cost you tho!

Is it that easy?

I understand. Did you want starling…?

Well, I say "no problem" but guns aren't common here. So I would say I would need quite a bit of starling to make it worth it for me.

I see…

[Maybe she should just steal one?]

Okay! That’s completely reasonable! I’m sure I don’t know the area nearly as well as you so it makes up for that time.

exactly! ill let u pick the where of our meet up but itll probs b in a few days gotta check my sources 2 b4 i can get u a legit time tho ;3

I completely understand!

I’m sorry to make you go through so much trouble…

the starling will make up 4 any trouble

[A few days later they message her again.]

got ur gun! where do u wanna meet?

Already? That was so fast!

Uhm...would you mind meeting me on the fourth level?

u r in luck

1 of my suppliers had 1 ready

ill c u there. im the 1 w the ears

[Kohaku bounces on their feet, with an illusion of a case with a gun in it in their hand at the meeting place.]

[In a hurry to meet them, Aimee puts on whatever and barely brushes her hair, practically sprinting to their meeting spot. Aimee chose a quiet park on a platform that didn’t get much traffic, although right now some of the surroundings have changed due to the nature of the level.]

I’m terribly sorry…I hope I didn’t keep you waiting!

Don't worry about it! Anyway, I've got the goods if you've got the starling with you~

[Kohaku sets the box on a park picnic bench and opens it to reveal a gun and bullets. It looks real because Kohaku spent the last few days looking up references and practicing their illusion of it.]

What'cha think?

Mn, I brought the starling.

[Aimee goes quiet while she appraises it. She can’t really be picky right now, but she wants to make sure she’ll be able to carry it and use it easily and it fits that criteria.]

It looks good. I’m still shocked you found this so easily. Thank you— is this enough starling?

[She retrieves the starling she’s kept in an organza bag.]

I was surprised too. I was sure it would be a couple weeks out before I could get one for you. We were really lucky.

[Kohaku pretends to pay attention to the starling, but really they're focused on keeping the illusion up and realistic. They aren't doing this for the money anyway, its just a perk.]

Hmmm...Yep, that should be fine. Thanks for your business~

[Kohaku snatches the bag of starling and dashes off. The gun will disappear after two minutes as if it was never there.]

[Before Aimee can comment on Kohaku’s swift exit, they’re gone. Which is…odd, but more importantly she needs to test the gun. Then it disappears and Aimee wants to cry. Cry at her own stupidity and mistake. She didn’t trade all her starling, but it was a decent chunk!

She saw the direction Kohaku was running, so she thinks she can guess at their location.

Kohaku will find Aimee is suddenly in front of her. She’s soaking wet and now in a different outfit, and there are tears in her eyes as her voice trembles, but she’s trying to sound as determined as possible!]

Excuse me…please give me my money back!!!

[After getting over the surprise of being out manuvered, Kohaku laughs, and then laughs more at Aimee's face.]

You are too cute. Fine, fine. Here you go~

[Kohaku gives her an illusion of the bag of starling that was traded earlier.]

Better now?

[Despite her indignation, she finds herself blushing at the compliment. She bites her lower lip, surprised by how easy that was, but accepts the bag.]

Oh—- Uhm, thank you for being so understanding about it. I guess I’m just afraid of losing things. Is there anything that scares you like that…? I don’t think I caught your name.

[Could their target be any more cute and fun????

They let their ears fold back and they lower their head, trying to seem as sincere as possible.]

Ah, well, most people just call me Trick. I'm not even sure if I remember my actual name at this point because no one ever used it.

Its all they see when they look at me...even if I haven't done anything to them... You know the whole trickster kitsune thing? So I guess I've kinda just...let myself fall into that role...Sorry about that...I hope you can forgive me?

[Slowly, Aimee's shoulders drop and her gaze softens. She doesn't want to believe Kohaku, but their story hits a nerve.]

I'm not familiar with the association, but...do you feel trapped by it?

[Now she's tearing up for another reason.]

O-of course I forgive you!!! And I think you should choose whatever role you want to, not what other people tell you to be! You seem very kind...I--

[Crying. IT'S SO SAD.]

Yeah, I do... You...you understand then?

[Kohaku's ears perk up as if they're hopeful about what Aimee is saying.]

Do you really think I can, miss...?

I understand! I know what it's like to feel trapped and as if no matter what you do, people will only see the role they've decided for you... But I believe in you! Even if you don't! I'll believe in you as long as it takes for you to see it yourself!

[She scrubs at her eyes with the heel of her palm, managing a smile.]

Aimee. I'm Aimee. Do you want to be friends...?

[Honestly, they're starting to feel bad about tricking Aimee. She's being so nice to them afterall...]

Friends!? I'd love to be your friend!

[They sound so excited. Maybe being friends wouldn't be a bad idea? She seems so nice. Except Aimee is human. A squishy human who will leave them sooner or later. And once they remember that, they're ready to go through with their plan again.]

I'll do my best, Aimee!

[They need to leave before they second guess themself again.]

Well, I should be headed home. Thanks...for everything.

[Two minutes after they leave, the bag of starling dissappears. In case Aimee tries to chase them again, as soon as they're out of sight, they transform into a fennec fox and hide in a bush.]

[This time Aimee isn't as surprised when the bag disappears. She doesn't see Kohaku or know their location, but Kohaku will be able to see their new "friend" walking past the bushes, still holding the bag and pouring the konpeito-like starling into her hand.]

They even gave it all back...I'm so glad! I'm so glad to have a friend...I think I'll get them something with this as a thank-you.

[How did she-?

Kohaku as a fox, can't check to see if they still have the starling they conned from Aimee, so they're willing to believe that's the actual bag. They make an illusion of their mostly human form coming out from behind a tree.]

Hey, Aimee. Fancy seeing you again so soon~ Guess we are headed the same way, huh?

Trick-san!

[Aimee's eyes round in surprise, but she remembers the honorifics commonly used here. Despite her initial shocks, she looks delighted to see her new friend.]

I guess so... I was actually going to find something like a drink or snack to give you as a thanks, but since you're here why don't we walk together? What sort of things do you like?

[They might be able to get their starling back, AND get a treat???? Score! It's a bit of a shame their target has to be so nice though.]

Sure! I'm not super picky, but I guess I am kinda hungry right now.

[The actual Kohaku would follow along in fox form, darting from hiding spot to hiding spot.]

[Aimee laughs a little, smiling sheepishly.]

I am too! Mn...

[She walks with Kohaku, but she isn't leading her to any nearby cafes. The path winds down, platforms haphazardly placed on it, to a small garden with a pond and fountains. She stops, looking at some flowers, keeping her back turned from Kohaku. As she talks, the sunlight seems to fade? Maybe it's just a trick of the light.]

I really do want to thank you. I have a hard time making friends...thank you for reminding me, Trick-san. I can't trust anyone.

[As she turns to face Kohaku, she snaps her fingers, and their surroundings disappear, leaving them both standing in a dark void. It's an illusion, one that takes a lot of mental energy and focus from Aimee, especially since she has to mask the sounds of the nearby fountain and birds to try and make it really convincing. She can't keep this up for long, but she's determined to long enough to at least accomplish her goal.]

Since we're such good friends, I'll give you another chance. I'd like my money back.

[Kohaku notices the changes as they happen, but shrugs them off. They're with a human, what can a human do?

Apparently a lot, because now they're in the void??? The fake Kohaku keeps smiling dumbly, as the fennec fox behind the pair freaks out. It's only a matter of time before the human notices, right? So the fox dispells their illusion, and makes themself take their previous humanoid form. It was a bigger and stronger form after all.]

What are you? Humans can't do this!

[They're trying to act intimidating, but their ears folded bck, and their tail is trying to go between their legs.]

[Aimee blinks when the second humanoid Kohaku appears. She hadn't paid attention to the fox at first, but...Kohaku is certainly talented and clever. She's certain they're more powerful than her--after all, she's still new to this. Best to finish this as soon as possible.

Her smile is almost kind, if it weren't for the fact that it doesn't reach her eyes.]

Maybe I'm not human... When does one stop being human? Oh no-- I'm terribly sorry, you must be frightened!

[She gasps, holding her hand to her mouth, letting her hands drop as she approaches them. Her aqua skirt swishes in the darkness, reflecting some invisible light that resembles waves.]

But didn't you say humans always saw the worst in you, Trick-san? Isn't this for the best...? If I'm not human, maybe we can really be friends.

[Kohaku's ears perk up at the thought of having another inhuman friend. But between the smile not reaching her eyes, and still being stuck in the void, they feel like this might be a lie. They don't want to know what else this person can do, so they fish out the real bag of starling from their pocket and hand it over.]

I'm not frightened at all. I just know when I'm beat. Here. Take it back.

[Aimee's smile never leaves, even though a part of her is sick to her stomach at having to act like this. No. That's not it...

She tries to hide the fact that her hands are shaking from the mental exertion as she takes the bag.]

I suppose it wouldn't be fair to keep your here any longer...

[Sighing, their surroundings melt back into the garden. Aimee feels like she can barely stand, let alone use her glamour to cover her dark circles and exhaustion.]

I hope you've learned your lesson.

Sure sure...

[Kohaku can easily see the exhaustion now that things are back to normal. They should probably just walk away, and cut their losses, but for some reason they stay.]

You uh....you okay there, buddy?

I--I'm fine!

[And just like that she's back to being a nervous wreck. A tired, nervous wreck. Staggering forward, she tries catching herself, but it's useless as she all but passes out while still falling. Aimee drops the bag as she collapses flat on her face. The last thing she ends up mumbling is:]

So embarrassing...

[Kohaku watches the girl collapse, before picking up and pocketing the bag of starling. They take a few steps away, pause, sigh, and turn around. They pick up Aimee, and carry her to covered gazebo in the park. They lay her down on a bench there, before heading off. It wasn't much, but it was the best option Kohaku had.]

If you find out, can you let me know? I'd also like to return others' kindness! :)

Of course! I would be happy to!

Have you been practicing for a while? Do you have a preference on the model…?

I'm quite fond of the Beretta line! I used their pistols quite a bit back home. ♥︎

I've been practicing almost all my life!

[So impressive!!!]

Oh, I like using pistols too! They’re easy to carry.

You must be very skilled!

Edited 2023-03-24 16:28 (UTC)

Yup. I slowed down a little when I had to change jobs, buuuut I'm still perfect.

And so, are you any good with a gun?

Perfect?! I’ve never met anyone perfect before. What’s your new job?

I don’t think I’m bad with them. My aim is pretty accurate. But I’ll never be perfect.

Oh, it was new. I'm unemployed right now! I'm always looking for work, if you know any fun ways to make money.

Oh, but I guess money doesn't exist here, does it?

[ Which makes this place worse. ]

You'll never be with that kind of attitude! Just have a bit of confidence. Maybe one day you'll be as good as me.

Fun ways to make money? I guess I would start with what do you enjoy?

It doesn’t, but I think you can earn starling for more things if you want? That’s what I’ve been doing.

Mn! You’re right. I’ll be more confident! Does confidence make you more proficient?

There is so much to unpack here and I dunno where to start.

Do you even know what a gun is?

I do, and I know how to use one safely! It's one of the few things I'm okay at!

Why? Is it common for Fallen Stars to ask for guns without knowing what they are?

Starnet | un: pensandviolence

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