Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 182- Angry Isn’t Enough to Describe

[Keeno POV]

The carriage ride back was…less than pleasant. I was still extremely angry though I was trying to hold it in so I didn’t start making things spontaneously combust. Margaret, to her credit, was managing to keep a cool expression though I could see she was uncomfortable with how hot it was getting in here. Zofia had been asking questions, but I hadn’t answered due to the extreme focus I was having to use, and Margaret was too busy making herself small as possible to say anything. Ama, on the other hand, had free reign to express herself.

{THOSE FILTHY MONGRELS DARE DO THAT TO MY KEENO!!!  I’LL KILL THEM ALL!!!  I’LL RIP THEIR SPINES OUT AND FEED THEM TO THE MONSTERS AND THEN I’LL REVIVE THEM AND DO IT AGAIN!!!!!  I CURSE THEM AND THEIR BLOODLINES FOR 20 GENERATIONS!!!! I’LL MAKE THEM SUFFER A YEAR FOR EACH STRAND NO ATOM OF HAIR CUT FROM MY BELOVED KEENO!!!!}

Even Huginn and Muninn, who had teleported themselves into my tails, were angry. Their feathers that were usually smooth were ruffled making them seem bigger and more intimidating than usual.  I’d mention Geri and Freki, but it goes without saying that they were in a similar state to the rest of us. I ran my fingers through the rough, uneven cut in my hair and my face scrunched with displeasure.  It took a lot of work and time to get my hair as long as it was and to the best condition then I nearly boiled over again, causing the curtains and seat cushions to start lightly smoking.

When we stopped and Zofia told us we’d arrived back, I got up and nearly threw the door off its hinges before leaving the carriage. Zofia looked like she wanted to protest, but seeing the look on my face she held back and left me alone.  I moved a bit away from the carriage and sat down on the ground under a skylight that let in a beam of moonlight and began to take deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself. Each exhale let out a cloud of steam.

“Again, can someone PLEASE tell me what happened?” (Zofia)

“A near catastrophe. Well, a catastrophe that could have turned worse.” (Margaret)

“That doesn’t explain anything.” (Zofia)

“It’s fine Margaret, skirting around the issue isn’t going to change that it happened, and I don’t think I can get any angrier.” (Keeno)

“I’ll give you the meeting details later, but long story short we were shut in a room full of aphrodisiac for several hours and in the middle of the ball Gonnadi walked up and cut off a lock of her hair. To which she promptly beheaded him.” (Margaret)

My ear twitched in displeasure.

“And the entire way back Ive been hearing an angry Goddess cursing and fuming to the point I’m surprised the orange sun hasn’t risen by itself and fallen on this country.” (Margaret)

“You poor girl.  That room aside you have such beautiful hair, it truly is a catastrophe for something like that to happen.  I know it won’t fix the damage that’s already done, but I can at least help in either trimming more to make it look better or styling it in a way that makes it unnoticeable.” (Zofia)

The switch in Zofia’s tone and personality from strict advisor to caring aunt was a shock and my anger abated for a moment.

“…Thank you for the thought, but I’m going to let Pram help me. She’s always helped with that, and I can’t really describe what I like in words.” (Keeno)

“Of course. Now, back to the previous topic, how exactly are we going to get through this without the other nobles breathing down our backs?” (Zofia)

“She made up a story about being a Princess from Falheim who isn’t afraid to go to war by herself if she is slighted, so I don’t think we have to worry much.” (Margaret)

“I mean, it is technically the truth.” (Keeno)

“That…actually gives me a lot to work with.” (Zofia)

“Also, there should be a messenger from a noble named Sif coming at some point to deliver a message.” (Keeno)

“Oh?  She’s a good ally to have, so that’s good.” (Zofia)

“Really?  I mean, I know it was most likely an act she put up in public, but she seemed kind of meek to me. And she had a hard time looking me in the eyes. Not that I don’t understand that part.” (Keeno)

“Madam Sif and being meek don’t make any sense. Also, what’s wrong with your eyes?  The black parts make them more alluring.” (Zofia)

“Tell that to most people I meet. Do you know how much I’ve heard people say my eyes are creepy?  Of course, I ignore those ignorant mongrels, but still.” (Keeno)

“Bit of a strong word to use there, but considering how things went today, it’s understandable.” (Zofia)

“All this aside, Keeno, thank you for not completely blowing up today. I know I’m asking an unreasonable amount of restraint from you, but please know that I truly do appreciate it. I just don’t want you to have a bad name associated with you when the truth finally comes out one day.” (Margaret)

“It’s fine, Margaret, I may be a god, but I don’t want to be a tyrant. I won’t oppress or destroy innocent people out of my own prejudices and vendettas. At least if I can help it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an angry wife to calm down and some sleep to get. Hopefully I’ll be in a better mood tomorrow, or is it already today?  Whatever.” (Keeno)

I got up and slowly walked to the room I was assigned to. I took off my clothes and flipped onto the bed naked. The cool sheets helping very slightly cool my head.

“Ama, stop it.  What’s done is done and any future generation 17 times removed won’t have any memory or connection to this, so that’s just going overboard.  I get you’re pissed, I am too, but if we’re going to do something about it, we need a calm headfirst.”

{Keeno, I can’t just sit idly by. I NEED to do something.}

“Then take their magic away. It’s not like they use it for anything good anyway, so without it they’ll be even more defenseless.”

{Fine. Though I reserve the right to a few of their souls.}

“Was never going to challenge that.  Speaking of, I know that fountain is connected to the Core, but I couldn’t feel it aside from the knowledge that it’s there. If that makes sense.”

{It would have appeared of that soul touched it.}

“Oh.  Well, it’s not like I was going to take it yet anyway.  Geri, Freki.”

The two appeared from my arms kneeling at the side of the bed. I was too tired and angry to care about my state of undress and just gave them their orders.

“I just realized I was an idiot, so make sure you have one of the spirits following whoever has my hair that was cut. Make sure they don’t do anything just yet but keep an eye on them. I want to know everything they do with it so I can judge just how long their soul is going to be reprimanded before finally passing into the Cycle.” (Keeno)

“What if they do something reprehensible?” (Freki)

“Mark the soul for Ama to take care of.” (Keeno)

“Understood!” (Both)

They once again faded into the shadows to spread the word. I sluggishly got up and moved under the covers of the bed before being fed up and just kicked them off completely.

“I’m too angry to sleep.”

{Then how about finding you a lullaby?}

“Might as well.”

{Alright then.}

Ama then began to sing a soft tune I’d never heard before that projected a sense of calm and warmth. Mixed with the sweet tone of her voice and the feelings I could feel in it, I began falling asleep while my anger seemingly melted into the background.

Chaos Realm:

Luna: I was going to ask you to pull Keeno here, but I’m not going to now.

That’s most likely for the best.

Luna: …Would my Abyss Fluff powers be able to grow her hair back?

Most likely, but it’d have adverse effects too. Abyssal powers being dangerous for worlds they don’t originate from blah blah blah. Blessings are fine, but any more than that and it’s a no.

Luna: …

What?

Luna: That’s never stopped you before, so what’s your real reason for not letting me?

……

Luna: Don’t make me call Order again.

I just don’t want you to and I make the rules.

Luna: Ok.  There’s no need to get so defensive about it.

Says the one who threatens to tell on me to my wife when you don’t get your way.

Luna: I-

Don’t think I can’t do the same to you. I can tell Tamamo about a lot of things.  Like your secret stash of pictures of her sleeping in embarrassing positions.

Luna: How do you know about that!?

I know everything!  I sometimes wish I didn’t!

Luna: Where’s that damn neuralizer at!

I’m not giving it to you.

Luna: Then I’ll just have to TAKE IT!

*The two begin to run around until finally Luna snatches the memory wiping device from a Payto who stubbed his pinky toe on a table leg*