POV: You just got handled by Ais, and now someone's coming 👀

𓅪

One should usually tread with caution when approached first by one of the oni kind. In her experience, they are often unpredictable—relying too much on brute strength rather than guile to solve their problems, and tend to become an utter menace when intoxicated. However, not all abide to that unruly stereotype. Some prove themselves to be civil upon interaction, nor that they speak to others with an air of superiority as one would commonly expect from one of the strongest yokai.

The vixen, of course, is bold enough to be the one who approaches the crimson oni firsthand. Her confident strut and self-assured calm expression come off as fearless.  Though bereft of her more overt vulpine features at the moment, the gleaming golden glint within her gaze, narrowed black slits of her pupils and upturned tilt of those eyes are clear enough to hint the inhuman nature lurking beneath her human skin. As sincere acknowledgement is apparent in his tone, it seems that her presence here had earned his approval. Only a few dared to approach an oni first, but she simply does so, unwaveringly calm in her approach.

“Hehe… were you perhaps expecting someone taller?” Constantly having to tilt her head up just to meet his eyes is starting to become a bit of a nuisance.  “Well, to be fair, I am indeed, approaching you for some friendly talk, Koujaku-sama.” The name and title, spoken with reverence, and his guess may as well as be correct. She is keeping her ears alert for every information that she could get from a resident crimson oni, a prominent guardian of this mountain range. “But first… a drink?”

In her hands, a bottle of shochu and a pair of sakazuki cup are at the ready. “Would you like to talk over some sake? This is some very strong one from down South, the Satsuma.”

confidence ⸻ oh confidence, the folly of humans and the common denominator amongst yokai. he appreciated it, despite the fact he himself preferred to keep his confidence underneath his skin. perhaps such is what made him so unlike most of his kind and the reason he had not heeded the call much like most if not all of his brethren. he lets out a faintly amused sound, something resembling a soft grunt, while brows arch slightly, red eyes fixed on the one in front of him. his head tilts, curiosity finding its way into his eyes despite the rest of his posture and face remaining the vault behind which he hides his thoughts. a habit as of late, it seems.

「 not taller. 」 the response comes out calmly, a vague hint of mirth lacing his tone. 「 heights are not a concern after a certain age. they do not tell of someones true power. 」 he comments before glancing off for a brief moment. it's mildly irritating to not have any visual cues as to whether or not his instincts are correct about the kind of person he's talking to; and yet he lets out a soft scoff that trails into something that might be a dry hah. he could appreciate this. certainly something of a cliché common for his kind to be swayed at the mention of alcohol, but not one he plans on stopping.

「 if you know who i am you should be aware that i am no friend of honorifics. i've left that behind a long time ago. 」 he mumbles softly before lifting one hand to scratch at his cheek. an old habit that he could not quite get rid of ⸻ one he'd taken over from his dearest friend, his blue counterpart. or perhaps less habit and more tether to a past long gone by to a being that refused to let bygones be bygones.

「 i appreciate the offer, even if i fear i may not make for good conversation. you must know my kind is not known to be ... eloquent. 」 it's a blunt statement, and despite that a long, drawn out breath escapes him as he moves to lower his head slightly in a bow. 「 but if you'll still have me, then by all means. i can entertain you. 」 he mutters, lifting his head again before letting his hand lower to his side again. 「 perhaps my old age is getting to me, but have we met before or have you heard my name through other sources?? 」 he finally queries, as if the words had been burning at the tip of his tongue just like the blood in his veins.