ten_fwd | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Inari, OTA
What: A bit of make-believe
Where: Zao Fox Village, Miyagi, Japan (via the Holodeck)
Warnings: none yet, will edit as needed

In the Holodeck, a certain wildlife sanctuary had been recreated, complete with walking paths and rustic park benches, and swarms of foxes of varying shape, size, and color. Somewhere within the park's enclosure, Inari sat near a small shrine dedicated to her namesake. Dressed in a vibrant kimono with pastel colored flowers, she held her sleeve in one hand, and a brush in the other; painting with water-colors on rice paper. How long she'd been at it, even she could not have said, but the shrine behind her was decorated with numerous paintings as they dried.

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Rosalind wasn't trying to intrude on the holodeck simulation but she entered it without looking and was immediately taken by the beauty of her surroundings. She was dressed appropriately in her own kimono similarly covered in flowers. She strolled with her hands together, pausing when she realized she had a fox following her. She regarded the animal curiously before continuing on her path.

She saw the shrine in the distance and went to investigate, moving slowly in her unfamiliar shoes and out of respect for the silence of the woods, broken only by the barks of foxes.

That is, until Rosalind noticed the artist plying her trade. Art fascinated Rosalind so she moved closer, her expression one of keen interest. "They're lovely."

Edited 2015-07-23 00:59 (UTC)

The park really was quite serene; nestled in the mountains that divided the Yamagata and Miyagi Prefectures. Or, at least, it had been. Inari had no idea if it still existed in the 24th Century, but she liked to imagine that it did. She also imagined that some of the foxes there were actually shapeshifters, like the Kitsune spirits of legend. But that was another story.

She looked up with a shy smile when she realized she had an audience, carefully lifting her calligraphy brush from the page. "Thank you," she said, "I'm still just getting the hang of it, really."

Rosalind moved closer, examining the flowing script and pictures on the closest piece of paper. "Then I look forward to seeing your work as you practice more. This place is beautiful, where is it?"

"This is the Zao Fox Village, in Miyagi, Japan," she said, cleaning her brush and laying it alongside other brushes, arranged according to size. Besides the palette of watercolors, she also had a dish of black sumi ink. Many of her works featured foxes, some peering through foliage; others with multiple tails, conjuring orbs of pale blue flame.

"I've never been here--there--in person, but I always thought it might be nice to visit."

"It's very beautiful." Rosalind said with a nod. "Your foxes are quite interesting. Why do some of them have more than one tail? It's it a common mutation?"

"Oh!" Inari shook her head, covering her mouth to hide a soft laugh. "No," she said, "It's just a legend, really. Foxes have magical powers in Japanese folklore, and the more tails they have, the older and more powerful they are."

"Is that what the blue balls are? Some kind of magic?" Quaint little stories about magical foxes seemed out of place on this amazingly scientific vessel, but it was still curious.

"It's called kitsune-bi, or fox-fire," Inari explained, "Though it's sometimes described as a kind of electricity, rather than actual fire. Supposedly, each kitsune possesses a kind of gem or crystal to channel their power. They're said to be able to take on human shape, and to create illusions that are virtually indistinguishable from reality."

One of the foxes crept up to Inari while she wasn't looking, nosing curiously at her arm. Inari laughed, and reached into her sleeve for a small paper sack, scattering some of its contents on the ground beside her for the fox to eat. "Sort of like these holograms, I suppose."

Rosalind nodded, watching the fox eat. "Are they truly this bold?" She reached out curiously to see if the fox would sniff her hand.

She was rewarded with a faint sniffs, before the fox decided she had no food and was therefore not interesting.

"If the photos and video footage I've seen is any indication, then yes," Inari said. "It seems the computer has recreated the foxes' behavior fairly accurately. I suppose after a decade or two of tourism, most of the foxes are quite accustomed to their human visitors, even if they aren't completely domesticated."

Rosalind smiled and tucked her hands back against her body. "It's a marvel, isn't it? A machine that creates an entire forest full of fixes one day, and a particle accelerator the day before." Though she was trying her best to be stoic Rosalind was clearly excited about it.

"I know, right?!" Inari smiled at the little glimpse behind the woman's cool, and analytical facade. Everybody had something that excited them, you just had to hit on the right topic. And not mind treading water if that subject was a little over your head. "How could anyone ever get bored?"

It didn't seem to matter what your interests were, the holodeck had something for everyone.

"I can understand being frustrated," Rosalind noted. She was frequently frustrated with this place. It was hard to see such marvels and not know how they worked. "I hope you're enjoying your time here."

Inari nodded. Frustrated, yes. The shipboard rules and regulations, though they had their place in maintaining order, could be all kinds of frustrating. But there was little excuse for boredom.

"I hope you are, too."

"So far it has been an adventure." Rosalind replied diplomatically. There was no reason to mention what she had lost to be here. Even if it still stung to know she'd lost it.

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