Fall, Day 2 - Foxpoint Farms

[4:28 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC):

- Begin Scene Request - Fall, Day 2

Maureen’s journal had become more than just a list of directions, recipes, and instructions over the past month. To Ellis Hanoch, it had become more like an all-purpose guidebook. The “journal” was really more of a collection of travelers notebooks all looped into an only vaguely-rectangular leather cover, clearly cobbled together over several years. 

It was also woefully disorganized.

It was lucky for him that Ellis wasn’t an easily-flustered creature, because the prospect of tackling a rapidly-approaching harvest season with only a basic knowledge of the orchard’s operation and the scattered notes of an old farmer could rightly be said to be very daunting. Between all of these obstacles, it took about a full day and most of the night to get the first proper batch of cider produced. 

Ellis was aware of his effect on reality, and he knew that unfortunate accidents and botched pasteurization attempts weren’t something he realistically had to worry about, but he was determined to go about this cider business properly. The only supernatural luxury he allowed himself was staying up all night to continue his work, but such practices were the rule rather than the exception for him, as he rarely slept anyway. 

So, as the wee hours of night tuned towards the dawn, and Ellis beheld the the fruits of his labor in four palettes of fresh apple cider, he felt a great deal of satisfaction. I wonder if you’d be proud, he thought to himself, with a faint smile, or if you would laugh at how long it took me. Still, he felt very confident that he’d gotten the hang of the process, right up until the moment he glanced at a scrawled note in the margins of the page that held the cider recipe:

Twelve bottles to a palette. First two palettes go to Ori, rest follow the list in the back of the book.

[4:28 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Still faintly smiling, he blinked slowly at the page and realized that he had absolutely no idea what this message was supposed to mean, or who the heaven “Ori” was.

By the time he’d hunted down Maureen’s old contact list and narrowed his search down to someone named Shiori Okita, the sun was rising. The paper gave him an address, but no number (which he assumed was stored in yet another place). This was only slightly worrisome, because it turned out this Shiori person was one of his neighbors, as much as such a term could apply to two homesteads separated by acres of farmland. 

Ultimately, he was left with more questions than answers. When was Shiori expecting the shipment? Was she even expecting one at all, after the events of the last year? There was one very easy way to get an answer, and, finding no other means of contacting Maureen’s mysterious acquaintance, Ellis finally resigned himself to figuring out the answers the old-fashioned way. He’d ask.

It wasn’t long before he’d loaded up the cider in his truck and was on his way. As he drove, Ellis wondered whether or not he should have made more of an effort to be sociable over the past few days. He’d been so focused on making sure Maureen’s old farm was ready for the fall season that he’d neglected to even come and say hello to his neighbor, for heaven’s sake… well. Hopefully that was all about to change. 

Ellis’s truck didn’t have any kind of official insignia, so at first glance it might have looked to Shiori Okita like some random person in was slowing down at the end of her driveway. The tops of the bottles could barely be seen over the side of the truckbed’s walls, though, so by the time Ellis rolled his window down and poked his head out of the window, she might have had some kind of idea as to what was going on. 

“Good morning!” he called, cautiously cheerful, “Sorry to interrupt your team but is this the Okita residence--or, er, farm?”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[6:21 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori had had quite a long week already, with people coming into the U-Pick for the first crop of pumpkins. No doubt for pies and jack’o’lanterns and who knew what else; frankly the extent of their personal interest had been the fact that the foxes liked them and they sold well during the fall. Unfortunately, that also meant that people were coming into the store for their regular routines, including Maureen’s delicious mulled cider… which had yet to be delivered.

The farmer was distantly aware that Maureen hadn’t been in the best of health the past year. Probably there was someone helping out and things were just delayed, nothing to worry about. When had they last had a chance to see the elderly woman? Ori’s lips pulled into a frown. Time didn’t hold the same meaning for them as it did others, that was true…

A small sigh escaped their lips. Well, no matter. They still had cocoa and tea, and would just have to apologize for the lack of cider for the time being. Maureen would get to it when she could, no doubt. In the meantime, Shiori was preparing a nice pot of tea of their own, preparing to have breakfast on the front porch. Or that was the plan, at least, until the alarm calls of their foxes reached their ears. New person! was the general call, and sure enough there was the rumble of an unknown truck as it came down the drive.

[6:21 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): The tingle along the back of their neck was not normal. So that made this visit an excess of abnormal. Shiori hesitated, then went back inside long enough to grab a second cup for tea. They could hear a voice - masculine, by the sound of it - down the way, and saw one of her staff pointing in the direction of the farmhouse, where Shiori stood, waiting for the tea to steep. They couldn’t hear what the young woman was saying, but it was clear that she was saying something. Probably answering whatever question had come from the truck’s driver. The tingle grew, and though they could no longer become a fox like the old days, they remembered what it felt like to have their hackles up, and this was definitely it. Not danger, but… strange.

“Wonder who you belong to,” they muttered under their breath. One of the foxes at their heel yipped softly, questioning. “Not you, dear, our visitor. Quite an odd aura, wouldn’t you agree?”

Well, they’d just have to wait and see what this visitor wanted. Who in the world would be coming here this early in the morning? Unless… well,they had just been thinking about Maureen. Perhaps it was whoever the woman was getting to help her out. It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d sent someone else with the delivery, but usually Shiori was given notice first.

A pair of foxes broke away from the skulk and approached the truck cautiously, their tails giving the faintest of wags before they almost skipped ahead of the vehicle, looking over their shoulders with a very clear ‘follow us’ gesture. Shiori relaxed - just a little - at the sight. If the foxes thought he meant any harm, they wouldn’t be nearly so excited.

Friend? asked the fox at her feet. Smells like apple-friend.

“I guess we’ll find out, won’t we, darling?” they said, reaching down to give the fox a gentle scratch behind the ears. “Only one way to know for certain.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[10:31 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis was happy enough to get confirmation that he’d found the right place from the staff, which was more or less what he expected. What he wasn’t expecting, though, was to see a pair of foxes trot right up to his vehicle, and then turn to lead the way like a pair of especially small (and fluffy) air traffic controllers. Behind the wheel, he blinked. Strange. 

Still, a parking space was a parking space, so he carefully rolled his truck up to where it was directed before cutting the engine and hopping out. The moment his boots hit the ground, a frisson sizzled through him, more startling than even his truck’s vulpine attendants. Very strange.

This wasn’t the first time he’d encountered that odd feeling, and he probably would have stopped to try and narrow down its source had he not been distracted by the foxes, which, in his defense, were very cute. He squatted down to offer a hand for them to sniff (and offer a kind pat or two), if they deigned to come close enough. It was only after making a proper greeting to them that it occurred to him to look up at his surroundings and see if the person he’d been directed towards was--oh, she was right on the porch, wasn’t she?

[10:31 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): “Good morning,” he said again, brushing himself up and rising without a hint of self-consciousness. Ellis paused then, his brow furrowing for a moment before his expression eased into something closer to a benign curiosity with just a hint of knowing. This person was definitely more than met the eye. He wondered if she sensed the same in him? He couldn’t be sure; these sorts of encounters rarely went the same way twice. The unusual and potentially-worrying situation pertaining to the meeting of two supernatural entities would have to wait, however, because there was cider business at hand.

“I’m Ellis Hanoch. I moved in next door.” A pause. “Well, the next farm over, anyway. I was given some very specific instructions as to what to do with this cider.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Two palettes, right? I’m sorry if it’s a bit late--I’m somewhat new to this.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[8:05 AM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori watched the newcomer from the porch, their lips twitching in a vain effort to hide a smile. So he liked their foxes. Watching him stoop down to give his impromptu guides a few gentle pats, they relaxed somewhat, removing their hand from the belt where it had strayed in defensive preparation. It was kind of amusing, watching the expressions on his face, but Shiori managed to step forward, giving him a polite nod without outright snickering at the way the foxes were almost begging for attention. Gluttons.

“Good morning. If you’re here with cider, you must be taking care of things for Maur-… wait, you said moved in?” Their brow furrowed. “Are you house-sitting for her? I know she’d been gone without really anyone to make sure the farm was okay as often as farms really need…” Okay, so maybe there had been a little bit of… illicit wish-granting that had happened in Maureen’s absence. Just a smidge.

One of the foxes whined – they couldn’t be sure which one – and Shiori made a slight gesture with their hands. All but one of the foxes dispersed at that signal, going back to their duties; the remaining fox took up a guard position on the porch as Shiori gestured to the man. “Ah, where are my manners, asking so many questions without even offering you something to drink… Please, join me for tea? Perhaps I can help you out regarding the cider.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[7:27 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis didn’t move, despite the invitation. He didn’t immediately speak, either, but the way his face fell would probably have told Shiori everything she needed to know in an instant. “Oh. I…” He’d said the same words--or ones very much like it--dozens of times over the weeks near the end, but they never seemed to come any easier. “I’m sorry, but… she passed away.”

He wasn’t entirely surprised to see that Shiori hadn’t known just how bad things had gotten. Maureen had always been the type to keep her problems to herself, even from him. Somehow, she’d managed to keep her stubborn streak running from beyond the grave. “When she left here,” he went on, gently, “she went to assisted living. She was among friends, right up until the end.” For the moment it almost seemed as if he’d forgotten he was talking to a supernatural being at all. The weight of a single human’s lost life seemed, to him, to be just as important. 

Only then did Ellis shake himself out of his stunned state, and stepped forward to follow Shiori. There was more to say, but it seemed kinder to do so somewhere less conspicuous than here. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[8:11 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori had already turned to begin pouring tea when he spoke; they glanced back at him when he paused for a beat too long, saw the way his face seemed to crumple. They almost stopped him from saying the words, but reason dictated that Ellis should complete the task. Instead, they focused on pouring the tea, careful as always, first pouring into his cup as hospitality dictated before serving themself, though it was clear all their attention was on his words.

So. Maureen had passed on. Somehow they’d known it was a matter of time. Probably could have guessed that’s what had happened, but still… one could hope. After all, they’d lost many friends along the way. Fox friends, humans, other divines who’d… simply vanished. Indeed, of their host of major kitsune since coming to this land, only three remained, tending to their needs and those of the foxes around them in the hopes that one day Shiori would have enough power to elevate more to their status. What was one more? Except…

When he’d finished speaking and joined them on the porch, Shiori set down the teapot, gesturing for him to sit before taking their own seat. Silence stretched out for a moment as they processed it all, before finally they nodded once, decisively. “I don’t… know who or what Maureen prayed to, if she prayed to anything, but she was a good person and I’m… I’m sure she’s fine, wherever she ended up.” Their lips curved upwards into a small smile. “The foxes loved her so much. Someone like that can’t be all that bad, I feel.” They took a sip of the tea before adding in a voice that sounded much, much older than their apparent 30-odd years, “It always hurts to lose someone you care for. Never does become an easy thing… does it?”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[1:11 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis sat as he was bade, picking up the teacup in his hands and looking down at it. He didn’t immediately drink, but rather just watched the vapor rise into the crisp autumn air. He wondered how many times she must have come to speak with her neighbor, whether or not she’d had tea on the porch, like this, whether or not he was holding the same cup she had. It wasn’t the first time he’d felt like a ghost in someone else’s life. 

“On that matter, I’m uniquely qualified,” Ellis finally said, glancing up to meaningfully meet Shiori’s gaze, “to assure you she is in a better place. But... you’re right. Even knowing that, it doesn’t really make it easier. I guess in some way I’ve succeeded in what I set out to accomplish--making sure she ended up where she was meant to be. I should count myself lucky that I might see her again someday.”

He should, and he knew it, but the loss of his ward was always a blow. Perhaps, he thought to himself, being on earth so long has taught me to be selfish. Ellis’s words, up until then, were vague enough that someone listening in might mistake it for more mundane chatter. He finally took a sip of the tea and smiled faintly. “This is the first drink I’ve had since coming here. Well, not counting the taste tests.” He nodded over towards where the truck was parked. “Thank you. It’s delicious.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[10:15 AM] Shiori Okita (Nora): What he said tentatively answered Shiori’s internal question, though they didn’t press. Not yet. It would be impolite to ask this early into socializing, especially after such disheartening news. Instead, they sipped their tea as they listened. The fox on guard made a soft whining sound, hearing the news; the rest of the skulk would know within the hour, there was no doubt about that.

“It’s nice to know that she’s in a good place.”

They lapsed into silence for a moment, smiling slightly at his comment over the tea. “I’m glad you like it. I… enjoy offering tea to visitors.” And having visitors that weren’t simply customers, though they didn’t voice that part out loud. Maureen had certainly been a favorite guest, stopping to have tea every time she came with the delivery, and sometimes dropping in just because. Shiori strongly suspected the elderly woman had liked being around the foxes as much as they liked having her.

One of the house staff chose that moment to step out, acting for the world as if they hadn’t heard the conversation. A tray of freshly made pumpkin scones was set on the table, the woman giving her employer a polite nod before stepping aside, briefly patting her fox-kin, and heading back into the house. “Ah, please, help yourself. There is an abundance of produce here, and my staff quite likes to try out new recipes. Have you eaten much since you’ve arrived? Which… you must not have been here long at all. When did…” A pause, a calming sip of tea. “When did you take over?”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[1:57 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): "I’ve been here a few weeks. I haven’t gotten out into the town proper, much, but all of that is about to change, I suppose.” After all, there were more deliveries to be made, and becoming the town recluse wasn’t a step in the right direction as far as “blending in” went. “But she left the farm sometime last year. And the ownership’s been up in the air for a few months now.” 

He nodded his thanks with a smile to the staff that brought the scones. “They smell wonderful,” he said, “but I’m fine with just the tea for now, thank you." Ellis paused. If he was reading the room right, he supposed that Shiori was on the same level as he was in terms of guessing she was in the presence of a non-human. Would it be rude to acknowledge it? In all the decades he’d been on Earth, Ellis’s run-ins with other supernatural entities (not counting his hellish counterparts) were relatively rare.

Then again, he supposed he’d already crossed it when he’d mentioned his unique qualifications, hadn’t he? Perhaps it was best just to be honest. “She knew what I was. Well. Am. I’ve been a friend of the family for generations now. But I don’t think, just by looking at her journal, that she knew everything there was to know about you.” He paused to smile, a little sadly. “Aside from a friend.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[10:05 AM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori’s smile faltered briefly. Had it really been that long since Maureen had left? Time often slipped by like that, what with their age, and the farm to take care of. A year didn’t seem that long at all, until it suddenly was. It always hurt, to make friends with mortals... but they just couldn't stop themselves from doing it.

When he declined the scones, they gave a slight shrug, transferring one to a small plate in front of them before grabbing another and tossing it to the nearby fox, who snatched it out of the air and damn near inhaled it. Shiori listened attentively as Ellis explained a little more, a tiny shock of surprise flitting across their features. Maureen had known that Ellis wasn’t… human? Of course, Shiori had no idea what he was, only what he wasn’t. But still…

“If I’d known that she was aware of the less-than-mortal sphere, I might have been more forthcoming with her,” they finally murmured. “I think she suspected, though. Maybe not the full extent, but it’s not so hard to guess. Sometimes she said things that made me think she’d figured it out.” They smiled then, a little hint of mischief sparkling in their eyes. “Who else has a farm with foxes this well-behaved?" They paused, thinking, and then, "Ah… you can talk freely here at the house, by the way. My personal staff are all in the loop.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[6:35 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): “Honestly? That doesn’t surprise me. It very much sounds like something she’d do,” Ellis said, with the hint of a laugh in his voice, “because of the nature of our arrangement, she had to--as she put it--‘play it cool’ sometimes. She was good at it. I told her once that she missed her calling as a professional poker player.” 

Ellis relaxed, releasing tension in his shoulders he hadn’t even realized he had. As rare as supernatural encounters were, ones that existed with a functioning group of associated humans were rarer still. “Oh, I see.” He paused again, mulling over the best way to explain the situation. “I’m an angel,” he finally said, apparently deciding to go with bluntness, “specifically, an angel summoned by her family to guard them. Summoning my kind is a mostly lost art now, but they passed the secret down up until Maureen.” 

He paused to take a sip of tea. “Sometimes you have a very personal day-to-day relationship with your charges, sometimes not. Maureen was very independent, as I’m sure you know. I suppose with her it was more like a long-distance guardian angel than one that hangs around all the time.” This was not information that he would typically share with a stranger, but Shiori was no typical stranger; she’d been Maureen’s friend. He felt he could afford to be forthcoming. 

Still, some details he preferred to keep to himself, for everyone’s safety; anyone who knew too much about an angel might be able to dismiss them. After all, Ellis was not a god; he merely served one.

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[9:52 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): That remark earned a chuckle. They could picture Maureen at a poker table quite easily, not that Shiori had ever seen such a sight. Then again, they didn’t really frequent the sorts of places where poker might be played. Still, the woman had been very good at keeping secrets hidden, even from her neighbor. The only reason Shiori had learned half as much as they did was because of the foxes, who brought her all sorts of gossip - when they weren’t delivering messages and potential wishes, of course.

“I have to admit I still don’t know much about angels and what-not. I did try to learn over the years, but my head’s full of too many other things.” Being half a dozen gods in one (sometimes) could do that to you. Shiori grimaced slightly at the thought, shooing it away. Now wasn’t the time to reminisce or dredge up dusty old memories.

And they appreciated Ellis being open about what he was. Returning the favor was the right and honorable thing to do. “I’m a kami. A god, if you will. Used to be of many, many things, but now it’s mostly foxes and farming.” They doubted that Ellis was his real name, but understood the value of keeping such things close. “Which actually brings me to something we should perhaps discuss. Did you happen to find Maureen’s, uh… ‘ledger’?” Not that it tracked money, or at least not only money. But Shiori had seen the woman writing in it when they’d come up with their little contract for the cider. “If you’re taking over the orchard and intend to continue the business, it’s only right that I discuss what my deal with Maureen had been, and if you wish to continue it.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[6:22 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Shiori’s tone seemed to imply that she had been in some way diminished, but Ellis’s voice was full of calm sincerity when he said, “It’s an honor.” He gave a simple, respectful nod--and for a moment, just a moment, there was the vague suggestion of something else moving in the air, some larger part of the gesture that seemed to happen in some unseeable place just a few degrees too far removed from their reality to perceive. 

The motion was reminiscent of something sweeping, like the unfolding of a massive wing, but it was also quite brief, for in the next moment Ellis was chatting on as if it hadn’t happened. “Oh, you mean her journal! Yes. It’s quite a read. It… took me a little while to find the cider recipe, and to find out where to deliver the bottles… and to find out where your farm might be--I had to guess a little, actually--I, er, guess what I mean to say is… it’s not very organized.” 

He gave a sheepish, somewhat desperate smile. “So I’d be very grateful for anything more you could tell me about the arrangement. And, if you don’t mind just--this place, in general? It looks like you’ve got quite the farm here.” This was an understatement. Foxpoint was over three times the size of the cozy little orchard Ellis called home.

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[10:48 AM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori burst into laughter, the sound rich and throaty. Their eyes crinkled with mirth, teeth flashing – revealing too-sharp canines -  with the broadness of their grin. “Not very organized is, I feel, too mild a term,” they finally said, swiping away a tear with a finger. “I remember watching her write in it. No rhyme or reason except for whatever made sense to her. I tried to get her to explain it to me once but she never would.” No, Maureen had given the god a sly, almost secretive grin… which of course had only fueled Shiori’s desire to know even more.

“The arrangement itself was fairly simple. Two pallets of cider at the beginning and middle of autumn – four total – in exchange for five pounds of strawberries, five watermelons, five pumpkins at the end of each of my harvest seasons, plus three handmade items from the store. I never actually saw what she claimed, so I’m quite curious if it was the corn-husk dolls or something else. It was never stated, but I always added in a little, uh… oomph to her own harvest.”

In fact, every farmer that had made a similar agreement with Shiori had seen good harvests. Not great, but better than before. They could do that much. “Thank you, by the way. It wasn’t much when I bought it, but we’ve done really well here.” They leaned forward, lowering their voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Frankly I think it’s the foxes that get me so much business,” they said with a grin and a slight wink.

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[1:58 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis sighed, but the smile did not leave his face. “You’re absolutely right.” On the one hand, it made him anxious, not having all of the pieces of the puzzle of Spireno Farms’ operation at hand, because he wanted to do right by Maureen, but on the other…

On more than one occasion, his searches had taken him not just through the journal, but through the notes in the farmhouse, or looking for index cards in a book, or some other misadventure. Each time, he’d gotten a little bit clearer of a picture of what her life must have been like, and he genuinely didn’t regret that. Ellis couldn’t help but wonder if maybe she’d known she’d be tossing him into the deep end when she left--and whether or not that was, in fact, the point. 

He perked up as she began to explain the exact terms of the trade to him, setting aside his fond exasperation for his late charge for the moment. I should probably keep some kind of journal, too, now that I think about it. At the word ‘oomph,’ Ellis’s brow furrowed faintly, attentiveness giving way to faint confusion before he realized what she meant. “Oh! That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”

It honestly hadn’t occurred to him that Shiori would take a direct approach to Maureen’s prosperity until the fact was mentioned. It didn’t bother him, of course; another supernatural deity taking his charge into their consideration just meant they were doubly blessed. “Well, they’re certainly charming enough,” he said, in regards to the foxes. There was, however, no slyness  or guile on Ellis’s. He genuinely just liked the animals. 

“Right! So I am… not really ready to accept her end of the trade yet--is that all right? I’ll need to figure out what exactly she did with all of those things. And I’m certain that will set me off on another quest for answers. I’ll definitely do my best to get it done speedily, though.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[8:25 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): The god waved their hand slightly in a dismissive gesture, very clearly meant to say ‘no need for thanks’. What was the point in being a harvest god if one didn’t actually help with harvests? And not just their own. Just because they’d lost a large part of their power through the long years (decades… centuries…) didn’t mean that they were completely powerless, after all.

The fox beside them wagged its tail happily at being addressed, however indirectly. The soft thumping drew Shiori’s attention to the beloved creature, and another pumpkin scone was given with a fond smile. “Charming to the last. Don’t let the scamps fool you, though, if they ever come begging for treats.”

They took a sip of their tea, considering what Ellis had said. “Take all the time that you need, really. The offer will stand until you accept or outright refuse it. What you’ve brought is enough to last a while, at least, and I can explain to the locals what’s going on. Well, somewhat, at least. Maureen’s cider is well-loved, but those of us close by knew she hadn’t been doing well the last while.” It just wasn’t easy to keep track of time like that, especially with a large farm to handle.

“At the very least, take some of the offer as payment for what you brought me today?”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[3:04 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis nodded gratefully at Shiori’s understanding. “I think I’m close to getting the knack for it--the cider, uh, making it, I mean--so hopefully the next batch will be out a lot faster.” Technically he wasn’t even done with the first batch, but he was industrious if nothing else, and would likely be spending the night back at it.

“I could do that,” he responded, in regards to Shiori’s offer, “Hmm…” Ellis pondered his options. He didn’t have much use for the payment as food, unless he was giving that food to someone else. Then again, it was entirely possible that Maureen had her own arrangements in terms of trading the items to someone else, or using them for the fall festivities--on the heels of that thought, he realized there were at least one or two items on that list he could potentially find an immediate use for.

“I think the pumpkins would be good, for now,” he finally said. If he didn’t find a special use for them, they’d certainly serve as great decorations for the festival. "And if you'd like me to take something else, then one of the handmade items."

<d>

@Shiori Okita (Nora)

[10:16 AM] Shiori Okita (Nora): They nodded understanding. Cider-making, they knew, was not the easiest of processes, especially when starting from scratch. Maureen had tried explaining it once, but Shiori had admitted to being content to just trading for the finished product. Besides, Maureen’s recipe was popular. Shiori didn’t think they could make something that would even compare, so why bother?

“The pumpkins are easy enough,” they replied, smiling slightly. Shiori shifted in their seat, turning full on to the fox at their side. “Go and fetch Jiro, would you?” they asked. The fox gave an agreeable little yip, tail wagging happily as they stood and trotted off in search of the kitsune. “And have him bring a wagon!” they called after the fox, who gave another bark to say it heard the additional instructions, before it turned the corner of the farmhouse and vanished from sight.

Shiori turned their attention back to Ellis after that. “I’ll let Jiro know to fetch the pumpkins, and he can also unload your truck for you, if you’re amenable. You’re welcome to browse the shop, if you’d like, or I can have him pick something for you at random. Your choice.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[5:30 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis watched the exchange between farmer and fox with undisguised delight, and waited as politely for them to finish as he would for any other conversation, taking another sip of his tea. “As long as it’s no trouble,” Ellis replied, in response to the offer to have the cider unloaded, “I don’t mind unloading it, myself. But then again I have… no idea where they’re meant to go, so, yes, it might be for the best.” 

“I’d quite like to see it, as long as you don’t mind? This really is a lovely place.” He gestured vaguely all around him. He could have meant the farm, or Nicaea, or Earth. It was anyone’s guess. “And I’m not in a particular rush. My next deliveries aren’t expecting me until around noon.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[5:44 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Jiro didn’t take long to come around the farmhouse, wagon in tow. The fox that had gone to fetch him rode in the wagon, mouth open slightly in a grin, tail wagging happily. For his part, Jiro didn’t seem to mind the rider; he looked like he was conversing with the fox, in fact, until he drew closer to the porch, giving a perfunctory bow to Shiori at his approach. “I am told you needed me, Ori-sama?” he asked, glancing between Shiori and their guest.

“Mm, yes. Jiro, this is Ellis. He’s… taken over for Maureen. Please unload the ciders from his truck and put them into storage, and when you’re done, load up Maureen’s share of pumpkins. I’m going to take our guest to the shop. It’s his first time here.”

“Of course, Ori-sama.” Jiro glanced behind him at the fox in the wagon. “You can’t stay there, Egi-kun.” The fox made a sound akin to a cackle before hopping out and bouncing around Jiro as he made his way to the truck to begin the unloading, the sounds of one-sided conversation resuming as the pair walked away.

Shiori pushed back their chair and stood, waiting for Ellis. “You don’t mind walking up to the shop, do you? It’s just up there,” they said, gesturing to the small building Ellis had passed on the way in.

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[12:12 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): “It’s a pleasure, Jiro,” he replied, nodding politely as he was introduced. Ellis watched the interactions and shenanigans unfold, gently amused by the whole affair. It hadn’t occurred to him how quiet Spireno was in comparison. It hadn’t occurred to him to hire staff, or any kind of helpers. Perhaps it was time to give that some consideration, as long as he could manage to do it without causing any problems. 

“Oh, of course not!” He stood as well, pausing as he wondered in a brief flurry what he should do with his teacup before he decided just to down the rest of it. If he was at all bothered by the temperature, it didn’t show. “Right.”

Ellis fell into step behind Shiori, taking in his surroundings with an air of evident but leisurely curiosity. He didn’t seem to want to drink in the sights with the same speed at which he’d finished his tea, and let his attention linger over details as they walked.“How long did you say you’ve been here in Nicaea? If you don’t mind my asking? I remember you said you built this place up from very little.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[6:50 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): “Don’t mind Jiro,” Shiori said, glancing at the retreating back of the kitsune. “He takes a while to warm up to new people. But Egi likes you, so that helps.” They gave Ellis a small smile as he joined them, taking an easy pace down the path to the shop. Foxes came and went as they walked, both to gossip with Shiori and to see the new person that the god was walking with.

They did like to gossip, these foxes. Even before they’d changed, foxes were just terrible gossips anyway. Not as much as the crows and ravens they befriended; though Shiori couldn’t speak with corvids, it was easy to see that they liked to chatter. A lot.

“Hm… it’s been about two years since I moved here? Give or take, of course. Time doesn’t matter much outside of seasons. Not for me, at least.”

A pair of foxes joined them as they strolled, a black and a white, unusual in the sea of red-orange fur that seemed to swarm the farm. Something about the way they looked at Ellis, the way they moved, suggested that they were not normal foxes, far different from the fox-kin that had thus far come to investigate.

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[8:43 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis nodded sedately. He took no offense, of course. Having lived on Earth so long, he knew the many dozens of reasons anyone might be standoffish. “Egi,” he murmured, “well, I’m honored!” He would endeavor to commit the fox’s name and… well, not face, per se, but more or less the name and face to memory. 

“I see,” he went on, “that’s… a feeling I can understand. Sometimes the decades sneak up on you. And it feels like things are going by faster than ever, these days.” He didn’t elaborate on what he meant by “things,” but honestly, Shiori wouldn’t have any shortage of options to pick through: technology, social change, political change… Ellis wasn’t sure if it was relativism on his part or if things really were moving faster, but he was inclined to believe the latter. 

He was, predictably, delighted and intrigued in equal parts by the appearance of the two new foxes--perhaps even more so by the unmistakable tinge of other that seemed to cling to their fur. “Hello there,” he said, looking down to meet their unerring gazes before glancing back to Shiori. “May I ask their names?”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[8:58 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori nodded in agreement. Things were going faster, they felt. Lots of things. They'd witnessed firsthand the whirlwind of innovation that had spurred agriculture ever onward, and while it pleased them to see that sort of thing, there was also a tinge of sadness for traditions lost to time. The god was, perhaps, one of few living who remembered how some things used to be done, but it wasn't as if they could just announce that, could they?

They bit back a sigh at the thoughts, yanking themself back to the present moment. It didn't do to dwell too much on the past, after all.

"Ah, these two?" They slowed even more, glancing down at the pair that flanked them. "This is Kuro," they said, pointing to the black fox, who gave Ellis a long look, almost seeming to take his measure. "And this is Shiro." The white fox gave a little fox grin. "They have been with me a very long time." Long past a natural lifespan for foxes, in fact, though they still looked quite young.

They should have been elevated as kitsune by now. It was something that brought sadness to the god, that they were unable to do such for them. Hopefully they would elevate on their own, given more time. “Don’t let him fool you,” they added, staring down at Kuro. “He looks a lot more gruff than he really is.” The black fox gave a little huff, turning his head, but the faintest of tail wags gave him away anyway.

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[6:02 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): “Kuro, Shiro,” Ellis said, nodding to each in turn, “it seems I have many more neighbors that I thought I did.” Still, he was fairly good with names and faces, having had lots of practice down the decades. 

He spared Kuro one last smile before returning his attention to Shiori. “On a sort of similar subject, you mentioned your human helpers being in the know about your situation. I don’t mind if you let them know about mine. If they’re able to keep a secret as big as yours safe, then I trust they’ll have no problem with mine.” 

Ellis wasn’t extremely cagey in regards to his nature--after all, half of the people in the country he was living in had an active belief in angels--he mostly didn’t bring up the matter just for convenience’s sake. The only thing he guarded closely was his true name, which wasn’t likely to come up in everyday conversation anyway. If he was going to be taking up Maureen’s partnership with Shiori, it only felt right to be honest. 

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[9:58 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): The white fox wagged her tail, pleased, though Kuro still seemed a little standoffish, betrayed only by the easy way he loped alongside Ellis and Shiori. The god held their hands out on either side, smiling fondly as the foxes took the cue and rubbed themselves against the offered palms.

“Ah, I should have been more specific, I suppose. Only the three at the house are aware. They… are not human. Not really. You can tell who they are by brooches they wear on their lapels.” To show him, they raised one hand and tapped a delicately-made fox mask on their own collar, though where the trio’s were white and red, Shiori’s was black and white.

“If you ever need me for something… abnormal… find one of them and ask for me, if you can’t find me yourself. Or let one of these rascals know.” Shiori gave a sly grin, flashing teeth again. “These two, or Egi. Or ask for Kaede - you haven’t met her yet, but you likely will soon. She likes to spend her time at the shop.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[7:18 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): “Oh! I see.” Ellis obligingly leaned over to get a better look at the pin. “Well, they might have already figured it out, then. But if they haven’t, either way, it’s quite alright.”

Watching the effortless ease with which Shiori interacted with the foxes really drove home something Ellis already objectively knew, but hadn’t yet properly digested--this was a deity he was dealing with. It was still a little awe-inspiring, even if Ellis was well-acquainted with the supernatural world (as he belonged to it). It was strange that he found himself in the right place at the right time to be living next door to a god… unless it wasn’t fate that had brought him here.

He snapped back to reality as Shiori began to speak again. “Very well! Don’t hesitate to do the same, if you need to reach me by fox. As long as they behave, they’re quite welcome to come visit, or deliver a message.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[8:58 AM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori waved a hand in a vague gesture of not-quite dismissal, but something akin to it. "I'd send one of the four, and they know better than to cause trouble for those we have made contracts with," they reassured. "Isn't that right?" Shiori glanced down at Kuro and Shiro, a stern expression on their face though it was clear they were holding back a smile.

Even Kuro gave an agreeable yip, the pair trotting around Shiori and Ellis almost playfully. A few of the other foxes approached to greet the group, but none stayed for long. If he were paying attention, it would be much clearer to Ellis that Shiro and Kuro possessed some unnatural quality about them, something that made them feel other. Even Egi had displayed some of the same traits.

Their little group passed by one of the pumpkin patches, the squashes a variety of colors, from the more traditional orange, to a creamy white, and even to mottled greens. Off in the distance, very human seasonal workers could be seen preparing the farm for the 'u-pick' guests.

"Anyway," they said, glancing over at Ellis. "They can understand what you say just fine, so don't worry about how to talk to them. They prefer to carry notes by mouth, though, so... fair warning. I try to compensate for it." Shiori gave a low chuckle. "I've used those, uh, plastic eggs before? But some people didn't appreciate the joke, so now it tends to just be tubes."

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[1:34 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis was dividing his attention between looking at the foxes, properly attending to his conversation with Shiori, and watching where he was going--but even so, he did notice that there was something vaguely different about Shiro and Kuro. He’d been on earth long enough to have a general familiarity with animals, and though these beings might be generally fox-shaped, there definitely seemed to be something more there. Fascinating, really. 

His attention was pulled into yet a fourth direction as they passed the pumpkin patch and the workers setting up the farm for visitors. That reminds me--I need to dig out how to get my farm ready… Before his thoughts could wander too far, he nearly tripped, and brought himself back to the present moment. 

“Fox-mail? Sounds charming,” Ellis replied, “I’ll leave a basket out, in case you’d like to drop a note sometime.” He paused, and squinted at Shiori. “Unless--can they use mailboxes?” 

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[6:39 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): The normal foxes flowed away as they neared the edge of the pumpkin patch, rejoining their various groups, though foxy cackling seemed to settle over the farm as they began to chatter to each other, no doubt talking about Shiori’s visitor.

Word traveled fast even among the unchanged.

“Fox-mail is… one way to consider it, yes,” they said, nodding agreeably. They were about to agree that a basket would be useful when his next question had them pausing, turning a sly grin on him that was echoed by Shiro and even Kuro. “Well, darlings, why don’t you answer the gentleman?” she asked, gesturing at a mailbox that had a sign reading ‘Suggestions’ over it, hovering by the u-pick exit gate.

Kuro huffed, clearly unwilling to play that game, but Shiro gave a mischievous yip and bounded over, climbing up a wooden fence pole and walking carefully over to the box. She reached out, balanced precariously, and swiped a paw at the mailbox door. It fell open, revealing a handful of notecards. During this little display, Kuro had moved over to watch, and he stood on his hind legs and reached in with a paw to drag the cards out far enough to grasp them gently between his teeth, bringing them back to Shiori with a flourish of his tail.

Behind him, Shiro hopped down and batted at the door with her head, closing it back securely. “Thank you, darlings.” Shiori’s grin broadened. “These two can, at least with some mailboxes. A basket would still be good should one of the others visit, though.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[3:03 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis was suitably impressed. “No thumbs required, I see,” he said, nodding to Kuro and Shiro, “thank you for the demonstration!”

He would probably still stick with a basket, though. It seemed much more polite. 

He walked in silence for a bit, taking in the scenery. He couldn’t help but circle back to what a strange and wonderful coincidence it was that he would somehow end up living in a little plot of land right next door (as such things go, with farms) to someone who was not only friendly, but also cut from a very similar cloth as he was. We might very well be the only ones of our kind around for hundreds of miles, he thought to himself, well, except for the foxes. 

“I haven’t gotten into town much since I moved in,” he said, returning his attention to Shiori, “do you mind if I ask--do you? Any places you’d recommend I go if I wanted to get familiar with the place? I gather most of the action around here happens down in Londinium.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[6:35 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): “You’d be right,” they said, nodding, though a slight frown graced their lips. “You can ask, but I’m afraid I can’t give too much by way of suggestions. I don’t leave Foxpoint very often. My staff usually run town errands for me, and these scamps do the rest.”

The scamps in question grinned up at the kami. “Well, then. Kuro, Shiro, do you have any suggestions for our new friend here? Where are good places to go in town?”

Shiori tilted their head, listening, as the pair gave a run-down of places they liked to go and explore. As Ellis was unable to hear them, the god translated, making their words clearer. “They say there’s a café with good treats and… people with interesting smells. Shiro claims there’s an old… hm… child’s play place? A daycare, perhaps? That is fun to explore. Kuro says there’s a bar with interesting people, if you like to drink at such places.”

They listed off a few other places the foxes had found interesting, though Shiori privately doubted anyone but a fox might deem it so. When they were done, they looked back up at him with a smile. “I hope that helps answer your question.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[5:46 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): He watched Shiori’s silent communication with fascination. If Ellis could ever be said to be envious of another supernatural creature’s abilities, the most likely candidate would almost certainly be two-way communication with animals. He generally got on well with them, but he could only imagine he’d be fascinated by the sorts of things they’d have to say.

“It does, yes,” Ellis replied, thoroughly charmed and doing nothing to hide it, “I’ve never gotten a fox’s-eye-view of a place before. Quite interesting.” He politely declined to ask what Shiori’s reasoning was in regards to why she seldom left--after all, who was he to talk, after he’d spent so long holed up on the farm? “Of the three, I think the only one I might not get to is the ‘maybe-a-daycare.’ Don’t have much cause to go to one, myself, whether it’s open or abandoned.” 

After a moment, he added, “Well, to be honest, I don’t suppose I’d have much of a reason to go to a bar or a cafe except to see the people there. So! Thank you both,” he said, nodding to the foxes, “maybe I’ll see one of you there.”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[8:08 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Shiori smiled, their eyes dancing with mirth. “No, I don’t imagine I would have much cause to go either, but they say that there are often people who go to explore, take photos… Shiro says she likes to go late at night when some of the more adventurous are telling ghost stories.” The kami paused and turned to the white fox, wagging a finger in amused admonishment. “Now, now, Shiro, it’s quite impolite to scare the young ones.”

Kuro gave the fox equivalent of a laugh, but he was not free from admonishment either. “I know you go with her, Kuro. You two, honestly.” But there was no anger or upset in the kami’s voice. It was clear that the lecture was part of a long-running act, but Shiori loved the tricks as much as the foxes did. Not leaving the farm had its downsides, so living vicariously through the fox-kin was almost necessary.

“Now that they know you, I’m sure you will see them around often. Quite at random, too.” They had reached the little shop by this point, and Shiori gestured for Ellis to precede them, stepping to the side as a fox trotted out of the flap in the bottom of the door. “Ah, I knew you’d be here, Kaede. Begging Mika for treats again, are you?” The fox gave a happy little yip, tail wagging and very pleased with herself. Answer enough to the question.

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[1:42 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): “I look forward to it,” Ellis replied firmly, right before Kaede made her appearance and thus commanded all of his attention. “Hello, Kaede. It’s nice to meet you,” he said, having quite gotten used to the process of speaking to the foxes like he would speak to any person. He didn’t enter the store until he’d gotten that formality out of the way, but began to curiously look about as soon as he’d gotten inside. 

Spireno Farms didn’t, of course, have a gift shop of its own, and Ellis didn’t plan on adding one, but he was very curious as to what sort of things Shiori offered for sale. And even though the hand-made items were to be considered “payment,” in part, for the cider she received, Ellis didn’t expect he’d be passing them along anytime soon; the house could always use more decorations. 

...unless the items in question were edible; then he might have to pass them along before they went bad. All things in time, however.

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[6:18 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): Once inside, Shiori stepped out of the way, giving a nod to Mika, who was behind the register counter. Mako was not far behind Ellis and Shiori, stepping inside with a stack of trays full of pumpkin scones, which she took to the small café area’s pastry case, prepping for the day’s customers.

The rest of the shop was full of what could easily be described as kitsch. Dolls made of corn husks, carefully folded into shapes such as people, animals (mostly foxes), and even miniature furniture decorated shelves. One wall claimed magical charms: good luck, a good crop, gentle rains, and the like. To anyone capable of sensing them, the magic would be faint, but definitely there.

There were other objects, of course, tiny sculptures, proper origami figures, carefully crafted traditional style tea sets. Care had gone into stocking the shop with things reflective of the farm, its owner, and the region. “Here we are,” they said, giving Ellis a slight smile. “It’s not much, but it serves its purpose. This is the only part of the farm open in the winter, so I tried to make sure it was a good draw for even then.”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[10:48 AM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): Ellis wandered about, bright-eyed and curious. The fare wasn’t necessarily surprising, but it was delightful. Modern society had been moving away from all things quaint and handmade, and it was nice to see it still thriving here. He lingered by the magical charms, pausing for a moment to sample the faint ipples they left in the air. His impression of Shiori had already been quite positive, but there was something especially kind about the simple gesture that honestly touched Ellis. 

He was glad that Maureen had known her, even if it was just for a short while. 

“I think it’s all wonderful,” Ellis replied, quite sincerely, “especially these…” He paused by the origami figures, looking them over. He was familiar with origami as a concept, of course, but had never given it much time and attention. It was clear these were done by an expert hand, an overall proper display of a unique talent. 

“Hmm… may I press you for a bargain?” He asked, looking back to Shiori. “Instead of three things, could I just take one, and you--well, if you have time of course, I imagine you’re busy--” He had thought the better of the question in the middle of his sentence, and was now vaguely embarrassed, but he pressed on, pointing to the origami figures. “Do you think you could teach me how to do these…?”

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[7:51 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): He surprised them, to be sure. They’d doubted that he would choose one of the charmed dolls. After all, whatever he was, he’d certainly seemed to have the ability to take care of things himself. But asking to be taught origami… that was unexpected. But… oddly welcome.

They smiled, a brilliant, happy thing that flashed teeth and crinkled their eyes. “I think that is an agreeable compromise. I don’t have much time at the moment, with harvest, but once that’s over… origami is a good winter activity. I’d be happy to teach you.”

Shiori, of course, had many long years of practice to perfect this craft, capable of creating enormous structures made with dozens, hundreds, thousands of smaller figures. Framed on the wall behind the register, for example, was a magnolia blossom made of one thousand paper cranes, done with shimmering silver and gold paper that gleamed in the light. Not their largest or most stunning, perhaps, but one they were quite proud of all the same… especially as they held the whispers of wishes written on them, hidden away and blessed by their favor. “Ah, I’m sure you’ll be quite busy with harvest and wintering your trees, as well, won’t you? So let us plan for a first session come winter, perhaps?”

<d> @Ellis Hanoch (CC)

[8:09 PM] Ellis Hanoch (CC): "Ah, yes, I believe I will have a festival to set up for. And many more notes to go through," he added, with a hint of wryness, "so it sounds like we'll very much be in the same boat."

He didn't mind postponing the instruction. After all, it might give him more to talk to Shiori when they met again. He doubted there would be much more than the local gossip, but even so, he would likely feel less like a fish out of water. 

"So, I think we have a deal," he said, beginning to extend his hand, and then pausing. "Oh, but, if something comes up, there's no obligation at all, of course. I'm flexible. But, ah, yes, barring that--" He finished exiting his hand. "It sounds like we have a deal."

<d> @Shiori Okita (Nora)

[8:19 PM] Shiori Okita (Nora): “I, too, have festival preparations to make… but at least no notes,” they added with a wry grin. No notes, only the gossip from their foxes. Less tedious, in their opinion.

When he extended his hand, they reached out to grasp it, though they couldn’t stop themselves from adding a respectful half-bow over their hands. “We have a deal indeed. I’ll leave you to it, Ellis. Jiro should be done with your truck by now. I hope you have an enjoyable day.”

They could already hear the rumble of engines as the day’s first wave of customers rolled in. It was time to be a manager, not just a host.

End Scene