The Den Realm
laid out at the mouth of her cave, the big white tiger stretched and yawned displaying huge fangs.
Opening one eye she noticed that Master Tails was sat up on a tree root looking out over the jungle.
"Good Morning sleeping tiger, you have an August visitor waiting for an audience"
She frowned and then turned as a booming voice echo'd across the heavens
"Greetings Lady Tiger, may I enter your sacred abode" the booming voice spoke in fluent Kogu
Hunters Moon - IC
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arcanus
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Hunters Moon - IC
The Den Realm
Moon frowned a tigers den was a very private place, before she answered she stretched and made her way down to the shores of the lake where the entrance to her Den lay.
Having arrived she looked at the cave hollow entrance that rose from the lake shore, once sat she recognised that the visitor had shown respect so she nodded in acquiescence.
The waters of the lake swelled and a thin plume of vapour descended from the white clouds above, hundreds of carp jumped and splashed at its bubbling base, she watched with interest as a large bubble formed.
Both her knowledge and senses told her that the bubble was not part of her realm and that only her acceptance was allowing it to approach, the bubble strained against an invisible membrane before it gently popped free of the barrier and floated upon the carp to the shore.
As the bubble opened Moon's eyes widened slightly as a creature the size of a bear stepped off the frothing water, she recognised it, how could she not a Foo Lion one of the protectors of the Jade Court.
The great creature bowed deeply, "Lady Tiger, my deepest gratitude for your permission to visit this sacred place, I am here to share further gratitude for your saving of the spirit children, your actions were most honourable and welcome within the Spirit Courts of the Jade Mother"
The Great Foo turned to the approaching form of Master Tails and once again bowed "Lord Gin Kkoli"
Moon frowned a tigers den was a very private place, before she answered she stretched and made her way down to the shores of the lake where the entrance to her Den lay.
Having arrived she looked at the cave hollow entrance that rose from the lake shore, once sat she recognised that the visitor had shown respect so she nodded in acquiescence.
The waters of the lake swelled and a thin plume of vapour descended from the white clouds above, hundreds of carp jumped and splashed at its bubbling base, she watched with interest as a large bubble formed.
Both her knowledge and senses told her that the bubble was not part of her realm and that only her acceptance was allowing it to approach, the bubble strained against an invisible membrane before it gently popped free of the barrier and floated upon the carp to the shore.
As the bubble opened Moon's eyes widened slightly as a creature the size of a bear stepped off the frothing water, she recognised it, how could she not a Foo Lion one of the protectors of the Jade Court.
The great creature bowed deeply, "Lady Tiger, my deepest gratitude for your permission to visit this sacred place, I am here to share further gratitude for your saving of the spirit children, your actions were most honourable and welcome within the Spirit Courts of the Jade Mother"
The Great Foo turned to the approaching form of Master Tails and once again bowed "Lord Gin Kkoli"
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Re: Hunters Moon - IC
10 Hours Earlier
Moon looked with fondness at the embroidered silk gown that hung alone in the open wardrobe. It had traveled many long miles with her from Peking, back to Joseon and then across the great ocean. She had worried that it would ruin, but the concern had been groundless.
Tails sat upon the bed in the small dark room, silently and inquisitively watching.
The young woman placed a porcelain wash bowl upon the floor and filled it from a matching jug.
Sitting cross-legged beside the bowl, Moon smiled up at Tails.
"Are you coming?"she asked the cat.
Whiskers twitching the cat cocked his head.
"I'm not spending the night here," she explained.
"Ah, now I get it," he said jumping off the bed and curling into her lap.
Moon stared at her reflection in the water, opening her mind to the world on the other side, and the one within herself.
She felt the transition as though she had passed through a gentle waterfall whose temperature exactly matched hers so that the water was neither warm nor cold only a pressure felt.
Beyond that, the low afternoon sun cast long shadows across the golden white sand that bordered the lake behind her.
a warm breeze rustled the leaves and fronds of the jungle trees that stood sentry at the beach head.
Tails hopped off her lap and she stood up breathing in the clean fresh air.
Birds and jungle animals could be heard calling across the canopy, a chorus rippling out from the beach announcing the arrival of their mistress.
Tails marvelled at the place, the distant mountains, the sheer rugged cliffs, the dark foreboding jungle.
It smelled so fresh and raw.
"Come, Master Tails!" Moon said joyously breaking into a run across the sand towards the mouth of a river.
As she ran she transformed, taking the shape of thebtiger, sleek, lithe and yet rippling with muscle, fur coal black stripes upon the snow.
With a jubilant roar Moon took off into the dark interior of the jungle, certain that despite the size difference Tails would mysteriously keep up.
She ran through the trees and ferns and bamboo until she caught a scent and stopped dead, sharp eyes scanning the undergrowth.
They caught movement and slowly she stalked forward.
"What?" Tails panted breathlessly. "What is it?"
"Shh!" Moon cautioned, then added, "Dinner!"
For ten minutes she crept through the undergrowth, huge paws silent on the leaf litter.
Tails held back, so as not to cramp the tiger's style and to secretly catch his breath.
Then, ahead of the spirit-cat, there was a furious flurry of activity, a roar that sent a shiver down the car's spine followed by squeels that did the same.
"Master Tails!" the feline voice called out, summoning the cat.
She had a large brown beast in front of her, rugged fur and tusks matted with blood.
"Let's eat," Moon said and it seemed to Tails that the tiger smiled.
The boar must have been almost as heavy as the tiger but Moon clamped her maw around the dead beasts neck and began half lifting, half dragging the carcass.
After about a minute of this struggle Moon growled and the shift happened. The tiger's shoulders broadened, rippling muscle upon muscle. It grew to twice the size, at least as tall as a man, more bestial, large head sporting enormous canines. The epitome of the sabre-tooth.
Something ferocious and fearsome threatened to overwhelm Tails and he instinctively backed away until the creature growled, "Come on then!"
It scooped the great pig up like a toy and ran off.
The beast led Tails through more jungle, across a river leaping from rock to rock an to the bottom of a rocky path that rose up the side of the cliff towards a cave mouth.
The Smilodon creature bounded up the path with the boar in her Jaws. Tails darted along after Moon, stopping every so often to take in the view. It really was an awesome vista.
By the time the spirit cat got the cave the big pre-historic beast was gone and the lithe Young woman was there attempting to light a fire.
An hour later Tails found himself turning around and around until he finally curled up on the thick fur blanket Moon had spread out for them in front of the fire, his belly full and content. He glanced up and then looked away embarrassed as Moon began removing her clothes.
She wrapped her naked form in another fur and lay down beside the cat. "Good night, Master Tails," she said and she stroked the cats head. Tails couldn't help purring.
The Next Morning - Lakeside Beach
"Welcome," Moon said with a bow to the huge spirit.
Moon looked with fondness at the embroidered silk gown that hung alone in the open wardrobe. It had traveled many long miles with her from Peking, back to Joseon and then across the great ocean. She had worried that it would ruin, but the concern had been groundless.
Tails sat upon the bed in the small dark room, silently and inquisitively watching.
The young woman placed a porcelain wash bowl upon the floor and filled it from a matching jug.
Sitting cross-legged beside the bowl, Moon smiled up at Tails.
"Are you coming?"she asked the cat.
Whiskers twitching the cat cocked his head.
"I'm not spending the night here," she explained.
"Ah, now I get it," he said jumping off the bed and curling into her lap.
Moon stared at her reflection in the water, opening her mind to the world on the other side, and the one within herself.
She felt the transition as though she had passed through a gentle waterfall whose temperature exactly matched hers so that the water was neither warm nor cold only a pressure felt.
Beyond that, the low afternoon sun cast long shadows across the golden white sand that bordered the lake behind her.
a warm breeze rustled the leaves and fronds of the jungle trees that stood sentry at the beach head.
Tails hopped off her lap and she stood up breathing in the clean fresh air.
Birds and jungle animals could be heard calling across the canopy, a chorus rippling out from the beach announcing the arrival of their mistress.
Tails marvelled at the place, the distant mountains, the sheer rugged cliffs, the dark foreboding jungle.
It smelled so fresh and raw.
"Come, Master Tails!" Moon said joyously breaking into a run across the sand towards the mouth of a river.
As she ran she transformed, taking the shape of thebtiger, sleek, lithe and yet rippling with muscle, fur coal black stripes upon the snow.
With a jubilant roar Moon took off into the dark interior of the jungle, certain that despite the size difference Tails would mysteriously keep up.
She ran through the trees and ferns and bamboo until she caught a scent and stopped dead, sharp eyes scanning the undergrowth.
They caught movement and slowly she stalked forward.
"What?" Tails panted breathlessly. "What is it?"
"Shh!" Moon cautioned, then added, "Dinner!"
For ten minutes she crept through the undergrowth, huge paws silent on the leaf litter.
Tails held back, so as not to cramp the tiger's style and to secretly catch his breath.
Then, ahead of the spirit-cat, there was a furious flurry of activity, a roar that sent a shiver down the car's spine followed by squeels that did the same.
"Master Tails!" the feline voice called out, summoning the cat.
She had a large brown beast in front of her, rugged fur and tusks matted with blood.
"Let's eat," Moon said and it seemed to Tails that the tiger smiled.
The boar must have been almost as heavy as the tiger but Moon clamped her maw around the dead beasts neck and began half lifting, half dragging the carcass.
After about a minute of this struggle Moon growled and the shift happened. The tiger's shoulders broadened, rippling muscle upon muscle. It grew to twice the size, at least as tall as a man, more bestial, large head sporting enormous canines. The epitome of the sabre-tooth.
Something ferocious and fearsome threatened to overwhelm Tails and he instinctively backed away until the creature growled, "Come on then!"
It scooped the great pig up like a toy and ran off.
The beast led Tails through more jungle, across a river leaping from rock to rock an to the bottom of a rocky path that rose up the side of the cliff towards a cave mouth.
The Smilodon creature bounded up the path with the boar in her Jaws. Tails darted along after Moon, stopping every so often to take in the view. It really was an awesome vista.
By the time the spirit cat got the cave the big pre-historic beast was gone and the lithe Young woman was there attempting to light a fire.
An hour later Tails found himself turning around and around until he finally curled up on the thick fur blanket Moon had spread out for them in front of the fire, his belly full and content. He glanced up and then looked away embarrassed as Moon began removing her clothes.
She wrapped her naked form in another fur and lay down beside the cat. "Good night, Master Tails," she said and she stroked the cats head. Tails couldn't help purring.
The Next Morning - Lakeside Beach
"Welcome," Moon said with a bow to the huge spirit.
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Hunters Moon - IC
The Lake.
The great spirit beast nodded, a silent ritual of respect passed between them, Moon could tell that the visitor had not stepped into her Realm merely floated alongside like a boat anchored off-shore.
"The spirit courts are very thankful for your aid Lady Tiger, there are dark deeds within the Golden City, we would ask for a further favour and in return ask what you would need by way of help"
It paused before continuing "The boon we seek is a continuation of the Protection you have so amply provided, I fear the little spirits will be hunted again - would you consider if they can dwell here until things are safer for them, I must warn you they are very excitable and....."
The Foo made a grumbling growl "....Annoying"
The great spirit beast nodded, a silent ritual of respect passed between them, Moon could tell that the visitor had not stepped into her Realm merely floated alongside like a boat anchored off-shore.
"The spirit courts are very thankful for your aid Lady Tiger, there are dark deeds within the Golden City, we would ask for a further favour and in return ask what you would need by way of help"
It paused before continuing "The boon we seek is a continuation of the Protection you have so amply provided, I fear the little spirits will be hunted again - would you consider if they can dwell here until things are safer for them, I must warn you they are very excitable and....."
The Foo made a grumbling growl "....Annoying"
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Re: Hunters Moon - IC
And there it was! An innocent enough question, but the connotations could be catastrophic for her.
Until now her den-realm had been hers, secret, hidden, a safe and unknown place where she could retreat without need to have her guard up.
This Foo had already tracked her here and she worried that if the little spirits all flocked here too then other, more malicious spirits may find her realm and devour it.
She had heard tales of many of Bastet’s kind whose realms had been attack and destroyed.
Moon was now torn between personal goals and duty.
She looked around at the serene jungle cove. For a den-realm this place was big, she knew from what she had heard from others. Plenty of space for the critters to come and not be a bother to her.
Duty won out.
“You may offer the little ones sanctuary here, Lord Foo,” she said. “Temporarily, until it is safe for them to return to their own homes.”
The spirit gave a gracious bow.
“I appreciate that this gesture goes beyond duty to the Jade Courts. I personally thank you too.”
“I offer this service freely, however I would ask that this realm be protected from without, such that it cannot be found by those who are not invited, without much effort and a serious will to do so on their part. It is no good offering them this safe haven if they can be followed here by those they are fleeing from. That is my offer,” she said and stood awaiting the Foo’s response.
Until now her den-realm had been hers, secret, hidden, a safe and unknown place where she could retreat without need to have her guard up.
This Foo had already tracked her here and she worried that if the little spirits all flocked here too then other, more malicious spirits may find her realm and devour it.
She had heard tales of many of Bastet’s kind whose realms had been attack and destroyed.
Moon was now torn between personal goals and duty.
She looked around at the serene jungle cove. For a den-realm this place was big, she knew from what she had heard from others. Plenty of space for the critters to come and not be a bother to her.
Duty won out.
“You may offer the little ones sanctuary here, Lord Foo,” she said. “Temporarily, until it is safe for them to return to their own homes.”
The spirit gave a gracious bow.
“I appreciate that this gesture goes beyond duty to the Jade Courts. I personally thank you too.”
“I offer this service freely, however I would ask that this realm be protected from without, such that it cannot be found by those who are not invited, without much effort and a serious will to do so on their part. It is no good offering them this safe haven if they can be followed here by those they are fleeing from. That is my offer,” she said and stood awaiting the Foo’s response.
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Hunters Moon
The Den Realm
The Great Foo bowed "Most honourable, it is done, you have the protection of the Guardians of the Jade Court, this for a year and a day!"
"Lady Tiger, Lord Gin Kkoli"
The carp began to thrash and leap once again, the bubble reformed like an irredescent pearl, floating back across the lake before vanishing.
Having gathered her things she stepped through the waterfall, she noticed the waters seemed more solid almost like liquid ice or flowing crystal.
Moon blinked and she was back in her room, Master Tails sat upon a wicker seat in front of the porthole attic window looking out over the rooftops.
Looking down she saw a octagon shaped clay tile, each segment bearing an etched symbol, looking up the cat had turned to look at her, his face was serious for a change the usual mischievous glint in his eye replaced with stoic regard.
"You must break the tile" he observed
Moon stood, she smiled at Master Tail who cocked his head, raising the tile she threw it to the floor smashing it
A symbol appeared in her minds eye, opening her eyes again she stood upon the entrance of a bamboo rope bridge, it spanned a vast pit lined with brown clay walls that descended into a void, at the other end was an enormous bird cage easily the size of a three or four story building, also fashioned from bamboo.
Master Tails stood by her feet and she stepped onto the bridge, looking up she saw the sky was covered in a latice or web of metallic crystal, a long chain made of green jade stretched down through an opening in the web from which the cage hung.
As she walked across the bridge she could see tropical palms and ferns crowded the cages interior roof, bright birds of all descriptions darted around and sang, entering the ornate doorway she could see several paper walled dwellings amongst the tropical foliage and a series of long tables in a circular courtyard at the centre.
Walking into the courtyard she noted that it was largely deserted apart from two figures, one resembled an ornate chinese dragon albiet a small one, its scales were a beautiful sea green, Moon recognised this as a Korean dragon from its extravagant white feathers and plumage.
It was some four feet long and floated above the tables its sineous body undulating as if keeping it aloft, she could tell from its demeanor it was displeased with the other occupant, its crossed front legs being the most obvious sign.
The second creature sat at the benches, resembling some form of cross between an orange monkey, a frog and something monsterous.
One of its huge yellow eyes leered at Moon, a cigar hung ridiculously from its enormous frog mouth, although this maw was lined by row after row of crocodillian fangs, it belched a great acrid cloud of tobbaco smoke smothering everythign assembled.
"SO WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, MANGY PAIR OF CATS!"
The Great Foo bowed "Most honourable, it is done, you have the protection of the Guardians of the Jade Court, this for a year and a day!"
"Lady Tiger, Lord Gin Kkoli"
The carp began to thrash and leap once again, the bubble reformed like an irredescent pearl, floating back across the lake before vanishing.
Having gathered her things she stepped through the waterfall, she noticed the waters seemed more solid almost like liquid ice or flowing crystal.
Moon blinked and she was back in her room, Master Tails sat upon a wicker seat in front of the porthole attic window looking out over the rooftops.
Looking down she saw a octagon shaped clay tile, each segment bearing an etched symbol, looking up the cat had turned to look at her, his face was serious for a change the usual mischievous glint in his eye replaced with stoic regard.
"You must break the tile" he observed
Moon stood, she smiled at Master Tail who cocked his head, raising the tile she threw it to the floor smashing it
A symbol appeared in her minds eye, opening her eyes again she stood upon the entrance of a bamboo rope bridge, it spanned a vast pit lined with brown clay walls that descended into a void, at the other end was an enormous bird cage easily the size of a three or four story building, also fashioned from bamboo.
Master Tails stood by her feet and she stepped onto the bridge, looking up she saw the sky was covered in a latice or web of metallic crystal, a long chain made of green jade stretched down through an opening in the web from which the cage hung.
As she walked across the bridge she could see tropical palms and ferns crowded the cages interior roof, bright birds of all descriptions darted around and sang, entering the ornate doorway she could see several paper walled dwellings amongst the tropical foliage and a series of long tables in a circular courtyard at the centre.
Walking into the courtyard she noted that it was largely deserted apart from two figures, one resembled an ornate chinese dragon albiet a small one, its scales were a beautiful sea green, Moon recognised this as a Korean dragon from its extravagant white feathers and plumage.
It was some four feet long and floated above the tables its sineous body undulating as if keeping it aloft, she could tell from its demeanor it was displeased with the other occupant, its crossed front legs being the most obvious sign.
The second creature sat at the benches, resembling some form of cross between an orange monkey, a frog and something monsterous.
One of its huge yellow eyes leered at Moon, a cigar hung ridiculously from its enormous frog mouth, although this maw was lined by row after row of crocodillian fangs, it belched a great acrid cloud of tobbaco smoke smothering everythign assembled.
"SO WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, MANGY PAIR OF CATS!"
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Re: Hunters Moon - IC
Her beads became warm almost immediately as anger flared through her.
“Wow!” Tails laughed quietly. “If looks could kill those two would be soup right now.”
Moon gave her companion a withering look but said no more to him. She strode purposely over the last stretch of the bamboo bridge to stand before the Dokkaebi.
“You had better start by giving me a good reason not to tear off that ugly bloated head and shove your friend here down your throat,” she seethed fighting back the change.
“Wow!” Tails laughed quietly. “If looks could kill those two would be soup right now.”
Moon gave her companion a withering look but said no more to him. She strode purposely over the last stretch of the bamboo bridge to stand before the Dokkaebi.
“You had better start by giving me a good reason not to tear off that ugly bloated head and shove your friend here down your throat,” she seethed fighting back the change.
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Hunters Moon - IC
"WHY YOU SCRAWNY, MANGY, FURBALL" the Dokkaebi shouted leaping up, as her vision swan, fangs cutting the inside of her cheeks, Moon noticed the frog monster had one thick muscular leg rather than two.
"SO KITTY WANTS A FIGHT" he bellowed, then sat back on the bench, puffing on his cigar "PAH"
"Bujo this is our most honourable guest" Moon felt a wave of calming Chi flood across the courtyard, her rage was still high, her Tigers eyes shone orange.
She watched as a branch reached down from a cherry tree on the end of the branch or rather the end of the branch was a small wooden man.
The figure resembled a little old oriental man in traditional Hanfu, the branch extended over the table, the Dokkaebi scowled and spat
"FINE" he glared at Moon and spread two hand of cards across the bench before her
"Show your hand, Catface" he grinned and puffed heavily on his cigar
"SO KITTY WANTS A FIGHT" he bellowed, then sat back on the bench, puffing on his cigar "PAH"
"Bujo this is our most honourable guest" Moon felt a wave of calming Chi flood across the courtyard, her rage was still high, her Tigers eyes shone orange.
She watched as a branch reached down from a cherry tree on the end of the branch or rather the end of the branch was a small wooden man.
The figure resembled a little old oriental man in traditional Hanfu, the branch extended over the table, the Dokkaebi scowled and spat
"FINE" he glared at Moon and spread two hand of cards across the bench before her
"Show your hand, Catface" he grinned and puffed heavily on his cigar
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Re: Hunters Moon - IC
Moon regarded the cards with disdain. There was no way she was getting drawn into whatever game these things had concocted.
“I don’t think so, fatso!” she sneered.
Turning away from toady she gave a short bow to the little figure at the end of the branch.
“With the greatest of respect, tell me what it is you want so that I might get on with my day and you with yours.”
“I don’t think so, fatso!” she sneered.
Turning away from toady she gave a short bow to the little figure at the end of the branch.
“With the greatest of respect, tell me what it is you want so that I might get on with my day and you with yours.”
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Hunters Moon - IC
"Ha" chortled the little branch man "She has your measure Bujo!" he said scornfully
"Lady Tiger you have already done us a great service, as he swept his arm out in gesture small shoots emerged from its wood surface, he pointed to a conical leather bag sat upon the bench, it occurred to Moon she hadn't noticed that before.
"Bujo is working off the debt of his latest poor behavour and is assigned to you, despite his outward appearance and bad manners, he is a skilled celestial calligrapher!"
Master Tails had hopped up onto the bench he reached for the cards, the Dokkaeki put his hand out protectively and received a swipe for his trouble
"Agh, that hurt" he yelped pulling his hand back revealing long claw marks, Tail's then flipped the cards with his paw first Bujo's then the hand he'd dealt Moon
"It seems your unlucky day fatso, I believe 2 kings and 2 threes beats 2 Jacks and 2 fives" he chided the Dokkaeki "So i beat you, never play games with cats!"
"Let that be a lesson Bujo" said the branch elder sternly "Lady Tiger has the mandate of The Emerald Mother, you will be helpful!"
"Yes alright, alright, so boring"
"BUJO!"
"Sorry, sorry" he cowered slightly "Don't make me stand before the Foos again" he shuddered and looked warily at Moon, her face stoic aprt from teh occasional flare of her nostils that had slightly darkened like the nose of a cat.
"Then behave" instructed the branch elder
"I will" the Dokkaeki turned to Moon and with a great sigh he bowed deeply and offered her the bag
"Lady Tiger you have already done us a great service, as he swept his arm out in gesture small shoots emerged from its wood surface, he pointed to a conical leather bag sat upon the bench, it occurred to Moon she hadn't noticed that before.
"Bujo is working off the debt of his latest poor behavour and is assigned to you, despite his outward appearance and bad manners, he is a skilled celestial calligrapher!"
Master Tails had hopped up onto the bench he reached for the cards, the Dokkaeki put his hand out protectively and received a swipe for his trouble
"Agh, that hurt" he yelped pulling his hand back revealing long claw marks, Tail's then flipped the cards with his paw first Bujo's then the hand he'd dealt Moon
"It seems your unlucky day fatso, I believe 2 kings and 2 threes beats 2 Jacks and 2 fives" he chided the Dokkaeki "So i beat you, never play games with cats!"
"Let that be a lesson Bujo" said the branch elder sternly "Lady Tiger has the mandate of The Emerald Mother, you will be helpful!"
"Yes alright, alright, so boring"
"BUJO!"
"Sorry, sorry" he cowered slightly "Don't make me stand before the Foos again" he shuddered and looked warily at Moon, her face stoic aprt from teh occasional flare of her nostils that had slightly darkened like the nose of a cat.
"Then behave" instructed the branch elder
"I will" the Dokkaeki turned to Moon and with a great sigh he bowed deeply and offered her the bag