1007/Ego

Ego
Date of Scene:	07 February 2016
Location:	Hisakata Residences
Synopsis:	The little red fox has hardly demonstrated Sapience on any level in the past two weeks. But this night, the various questions it's been asking finally culminate into a very sudden show of personality and self-awareness. Finally, Ikiko has reason to hope that this hasn't all been for naught.
Cast of Characters:	Ayana, Ikiko Hisakata

---

Ayana has posed:
It's been two weeks since Ikiko, Reiko, and Mikoto set out to free Ayana of her bondage to the evil Riventon. Two weeks that the fox has regained only minimal memories. Certainly, the creature is smarter than the average canid, but sapience? Sapience is a ocnstruct that really hasn't been applicable to Ikiko's new 'pet'.

It's been two weeks, and there's been few signs of the loving girlfriend that Ikiko risked everything for. There's been almost no sign of the girl who was so desperate to save Ikiko from her "brother's" evil.

It's been two weeks. Is Ayana still there? Or is the fox all that remains?

Evening in the Hisakata house these days involves, first, a trip outdoors so that the fox can do its business before bedtime. Then, back in out of the snow to warm up before bed with fluffy snuggles. Tonight's no different.

Lying in Ikiko's bed, curled up by the girl's bare feet to keep them warm, those little blue eyes are open, staring intently at a small black fox. A plush, to be sure, but a fox without a doubt.

"Inari," says the little fox quietly, its voice hardly above a little mewl.

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
"Hmmm?" Ikiko says as she looks up from petting the fox. She still misses Ayana, but the presence of the little fox is still reassuring to her, in its own way. "What's on your mind, if you don't mind my asking?"

Ayana has posed:
The little red fox stands up from beneath Ikiko's pettings and pads forward. It puts its mouth on the black fox plus--a miniature mirror of one that Ayana left in her bedroom in Riventon's house--and takes it directly to Ikiko. The little fox drops the fox in Ikiko's lap, then sits down and peers up at her.

"Inari is the goddess of foxes," the little one says. "You told me that. Ayana used the name before, but Ayana was evil, just like her master Riventon. But you loved her, and you tried to save her. But you did not save her. You turned her into me. I am not Ayana," the little fox says. "But I think that I want to be. Tell me about Ayana. Tell me about Inari. I want to know who I was."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata looks thoughtful for a moment. "Ayana did evil because Riventon wanted her to do evil, and she wanted to please her master," she explains. "Apparently Riventon wanted her to learn the ways of being a magical girl, so she became a magical girl of sorts. At first she could only do illusions and offer encouragement, but eventually Riventon gave her a Device that allowed her to singe foes with burning foxfire."

She resists the urge to skritch the fox's ears; a serious topic requires serious attention. "At some point, Riventon told you that he wanted information on other magical girls, and that the point of you acting like a magical girl was to gether information for him, not just to be a magical girl. This upset you, since you were good friends with Reiko and I by that time, and Riventon having information about us meant that we were in danger if he ever decided that we were a significant threat."

Ikiko reaches over and pats the little plushie. "You tried to convince Reiko and I to stop being magical girls," she recalls. "You figured that if we were no longer a threat to Riventon, then he would leave us alone. Which, by itself, is a pretty logical idea, I will admit! But we had become magical girls to help protect others, and we refused to let you face your sadness alone."

Ayana has posed:
The little fox tilts its head, blue eyes piercingly focused on Ikiko. "Ayana loved you very much," it surmises, still insisting on not speaking of 'Ayana' as in the first person. "Enough to betray someone for you. That seems very important. But ..." and here the little fox trails off, then stands up and approaches even closer. It puts its forepaws on Ikiko's chest, and peers up into her eyes, "You betrayed Ayana, too. She trusted you with her secrets, and said that she did not wish to leave Riventon. You took that choice from her. If I become Ayana, again. If you make me into another girl ... will you still make decisions for me? Or will you respect my choices?"

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata leans forward and nuzzles the fox's nose. "If you become a girl again, I would seek to make sure that there is no magic influencing you," she replies. "No external bonds of pre-programmed loyalty; just whatever choices you freely make of your own heart's choosing. Those choices, I will respect."

A smile crosses her face. "It still won't get you out of taking baths, though," she giggles, giving the fox a quick skritch of the ears before resuming a more serious expression. "But the choices of your heart, I will definitely respect."

Ayana has posed:
The little fox's ears flatten to either side at the combination attack of pettings and bath-warnings. For all that it tries to look very miffed at the answer, its tail is wagging: a dead giveaway of happiness. "Cruel," the little fox says to Ikiko. "So cruel that you force me into a bath. Water is not fun."

But the fox is not to be deterred from its more serious conversation. "Tell me about Inari. You have said almost nothing except that she is a god, and associated with foxes. I would like to know more."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata gives a slight shrug. "I know that she is a god of foxes, rice, sake, tea, ferility, agriculture, industry, and general prosperity," she remarks. "The zenko kitsune are fox-spirits that are affiliated with Inari, and that Inari's messengers are kitsune of pure white."

A slight sigh escapes her lips. "Unfortunately, I only know the basics of Shinto," she admits. "I'd have to ask a priest or a shrine maiden for more information, and I'm not sure how accepting one would be of me translating for you."

Ayana has posed:
"Shrine maiden?" the little fox asks. Visions of a shinto shrine flash through the fox's mind. A stone fox bows playfully around a ball in front of a red Tori'i gate. The little fox tilts its head, then shakes the vision away. "Is there a shrine of Inari in this place? I would like to go visit one. Will you take me?"

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
"I know of one in town, yes," Ikiko nods. "And sure, I can take you there! In a day or so, as the schedule allows, but I'll definitely take you there."

Ayana has posed:
The little fox considers that response for a moment, then leans up further and licks Ikiko on the nose. It's all the thanks the fox needs to give; Ikiko already knows. At least in theory. The fox drops back down off of Ikiko's chest and curls up in the girl's lap, tucking its nose beneath its tail and huddling up to sleep.

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata smiles and strokes the fox for a moment, then reaches over and turns out the light. She puts the little plush back with its companions, then gently scoops up the fox and curls up with it.

"Good night, Ayana," she murmurs with a soft smile as she dozes off. "I hope to see you again soon..."