[LA 11] The Excursion

[Shinjo]

Shinjo waited once the meeting was over, at the very edge of the area they'd secured, peering west into the forest. Her posture was tense, arms folded. What was he thinking, running off alone like that...?

[Nozomi]

Phi as not long behind her. It was quite possible that others might appear and see what was going on, but right now she had far more pressing concerns. When she caught sight of the kami, she drew near, showing her jade once again to make sure that Shinjo could know it was her. She patted the bow on her back and the tonfa at her sides, grunting and looking back.

"You know... one of these days, that girl Matsu is going to lead the Spider," she murmured. "She has more spunk than sense, but I like that about her. Are you ready for this, Shinjo?"

[Hanzou]

Hearing a voice as he was scouting, Hanzou drew closer. Once he saw who it was, he waved his jade and came closer.

[Shinjo]

She chuckled a little, despite the tension. "I know some people with more spunk than sense. Some of my siblings would claim I'm one of them."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, concentrating. Her form shifted and ghostly flames blazed to life around her, shifting and twisting to revealed her other form. She didn't open her mouth to speak, simply stepping over and lowering herself so Phi could climb on. Are you ready? This is going to be much faster than you've ever gone.

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[Ninube]

Ninube decided to do some walking after the meeting just in time to see Shinjo transform.

She stopped moving. This was incredible.

[Hanzou]

Hanzou stared in awe. It was a wondrous sight and, for the first time, he felt he could truly appreciate the full nature of the Kami.

[Nozomi]

She chuckled a little, despite the tension. "I know some people with more spunk than sense. Some of my siblings would claim I'm one of them."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, concentrating. Her form shifted and ghostly flames blazed to life around her, shifting and twisting to revealed her other form. She didn't open her mouth to speak, simply stepping over and lowering herself so Phi could climb on. Are you ready? This is going to be much faster than you've ever gone.

Fuck, you really are a god....

"We can't waste anymore time," she said, looking back at those coming. There was a chance they'd get a crowd if she didn't hurry. Sliding up and in place on Shinjo's back, she marveled at the creature that she'd become. Looking down at Ninube, she flashed her jade finger, gripping it and nodding.

"Test us when we return. We have to take care of this. You'll see us again soon." Fuck, she hoped so, but she was just going to sound sure of it when she said it. That would have to do under the circumstances. She took hold and gripped onto Shinjo, ready to literally ride like the wind.

[Hanzou]

"Good fortune and eeeesss safe travel!" he waved.

[Shinjo]

She rose again, nearly as tall as the branches of the enormous trees, harmless flames curling protectively around Phi. She bowed her head - somewhere between equine and dragon, with great antlers curling backward - and then turned away, bolting off into the afternoon, heading west. Her hooves barely seem to touch the ground, and Phi isn't jostled by her movement as she might have expected to be.

She's just very...

VERY...

FAST.

/exit

[Ninube]

"I will test you when you come back." Ninube wasn't leaving room for doubt. Phi would be back.

After they left, she couldn't help herself. She doubled over in laughter. When it subsided, she spoke a simple prayer, "Lady Sun, please look after then and return them to us."

[Hanzou]

Hanzou was still looking in the direction they had gone, his thoughts darkening.

We now have one less Kami and one less warrior.

[Jiyo Sora]

Sora watched the transformation- and the departure- with a feeling he couldn't place.

Had his childhood been less lonely and, well, brutal, he might have said he felt like a kid again. But as it was, the sense of open wonder was so alien to him he really couldn't process it.

So, for the first time since he was maybe three years old, Jiyo Sora felt tears running down his face.

May the Fortunes be between you and harm in all the dark places you must walk.

[Ko]

((D11 LA--fluff Investigation (Notice) for magical pony spotting: 3d10 17. I figure that is enough to notice the transformation in time... magic flames were involved, after all. ))

There's a rustling sound from above, and a compact human figure drops nimbly down out of one of the jungle trees. It's Ko, eyes wide as sand dollars as she finds her balance in the undergrowth and leaf litter and straightens up to standing. "Did you see that?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"I did, and I don't know if I will ever see anything so beautiful again for as long as I live."

[Hanzou]

"It was skist remarkable."

[Seidou Satone]

After her conversations with Jin and Shinsei, and witnessing how the Clans operate, Satone had mind to speak with Shinjo again to attempt to clear the air between them. When she saw the transformation, she blinked in stunned surprise."

"Amazing. Do all the Kami have another form like this?"

[Ninube]

Ninube almost to herself, but loud enough Satone can hear. "Do they turn into their totem? Does Fu Leng turn into a giant spider? Can he make a web?"

[Ko]

"Probably. Why don't you ask them?" Ko rubbed her eyes a little, the woods seeming very dark after the burning ki-rin's departure. "Lots of things can change shape, and I saw Isora walking on the tideline once at dusk, all sparkling where she stepped... but I never saw anything so bright. No wonder she's the Sun's child."

[Jiyo Sora]

"I have never beheld Emperor Shiba taking the form of a Phoenix, and I am not certain that Hida would see much point in becoming a crab... so I am not sure this is a universal gift on their part."

[Hanzou]

"I imagine each has unique fwisch power." Hanzou said. "Even if the others can transform, I doubt they can match her vrrrish speed."