The night hasn't gotten any better. First, there was the visit to that street doctor. At least that wound on the back of the fox's neck got cleaned out – presuming the doctor was doing her job, that is – but it's supposedly in need of stitches. The wound in the fox's gut is most certainly in need of attention. The spirit sharing his head has given aid in her own way … such as by dulling most of the pain, but still leaving enough that it won't be forgotten … and by teaching a method to the fox that just might give him the energy he needs to make it the remainder of the eight blocks from Chiri's tent to Roho's clinic in Freedom Park.

Nobody notices the fox as he slinks down the street. His enchanted Shiga-skin cloak lets him blend into the shadows with only the effort required to mutter a cantrip every now and then. The enchanted staff he carries bears pentagrams and dark sigils of Dagh and other powers of the nether realms, but it is easily enough hidden under the color-changing scales of the cloak.

A couple of bouncers – Titanian and Rhian – toss a Kavi out onto the street. "And don't youse come back," growls the Titanian, "until youse can pay yer debt!" The bouncers head back in, while the miserable Kavi slips off, disappearing into the shadows with a whimper.

Under the street's only lit street-lamp, a female Zerda sits slumped on the curb. Her hair is a mess, and her dress has stains on it. Her facial fur shows signs of too much eye-liner … as the mascara has run down her face, staining it a dirty gray. Even at this distance, the fox can pick up the scent of cheap perfume and cheap spirits coming from the direction of the Zerda.

Lady of the night, hisses Amaranth, in a voice only the hidden fox can hear, with a strong hint of distaste. But beggars cannot be choosers. There is no one else in sight. This is your best chance. All you have to do is mesmerize her with your gaze … then kiss her. Her drained life energy should be sufficient to get you to the clinic of the blind doctor. But beware – you cannot risk discovery in your present state. Time is of the essence.

The Kitsune grimaces at both the dull pain in his guts, and at the sight of the Zerda under the light. You're sure there's no-one else? he wonders to the voice in his head. To take the life of a fox… it goes against the very ways of the Kitsune…

Amaranth responds, When did you develop this rule? How many upright-walking fennecs are there on our homeworld? This creature is neither fox nor Kitsune.

Francisco replies, It's one that was taught to me even before I left Hokkaido to explore the rest of the world. As for how many there are, naturally none… but other Kitsune could take on such form if they desired.

Nevertheless, this particular Kitsune is torn between decisions at the moment.

Amaranth replies, Whatever you do, you must decide quickly. You cannot risk attracting notice in this state. Your cloak will hide you from casual observation, but it is not flawless.

A twinge in Francisco's stomach reminds him of how important time is, and he sighs. All right… Just this one time, if it'll get me that far… I'll do it.

Very well, then, Francisco-san, whispers the voice of Amaranth. Just walk up to her. It is as simple as a kiss.

Francisco begins walking over to the Zerda, not worrying about keeping "cloaked" this time, but keeping himself covered enough so as not to disclose his injury. Nothing's that simple, he notes to Amaranth.

Amaranth can almost be heard to shrug. True enough.

The Zerda doesn't even look up at the fox's approach, and there's no one else around – yet – to so much as notice the encounter.

The Kitsune, upon nearing the Zerda, says to her, "Hello there?" in an attempt to get her to look up and notice him.

The Zerda snaps her face up to look at Francisco. For a moment, she almost looks familiar … but it's hard to tell with all that smeared makeup, and Francisco certainly hasn't gotten to know any Darkside prostitutes since his time on Sinai. "Who … you?" she stammers.

"Me? Oh, I'm no-one in particular," Francisco replies, making and locking eye-contact with her.

"But you… " The Zerda doesn't finish her sentence, as her eyes are suddenly drawn to Francisco's. Her gaze locks with his, and her eyes seem to glaze over. Whatever spell she's fallen under, she has fallen under it completely. Her mouth hangs half-open, as she looks at the multi-tailed fox in a daze.

The Kitsune tilts his head a little to one side, angling his muzzle to meet with the Zerda's to kiss her.

The fennec provides no resistance, and practically melts into the Kitsune's arms. It is soon evident that this is no ordinary kiss … as Francisco can feel energies flowing into him, surging through his body. It's almost as if he can feel his wounds knitting themselves back together … ever so slowly.

Perhaps it's ironic, but something about the fennec reminds Francisco strongly of another he's met before. In a graveyard, no less. But then, perhaps that's just a case of the creeps, in the face of this most unusual situation he's in.

The zolken dress the Zerda wears flutters as a cold breeze jets down the street, sending scraps of paper and debris flying, and creating a small dust-devil that prowls the gutter.

Francisco tries his best to pay that feeling no mind. He's already uncomfortable with having to do this – he doesn't need to try and think any more about it.

The energy continues to flow into Francisco. The pain is gone…

… but there's something else that's a new sensation… a heaviness in Francisco's throat.

It's as if something is forcing its way up and out … no … it's gone now. Just a passing sensation.

And the last bit of energy drops to a trickle. It's done. The Zerda falls limp in Francisco's arms.

The Kitsune holds the prone Zerda, and looks around for any sign of anyone watching. He also looks for a spot in the shadows, as leaving her here is just an invitation to trouble.

Footsteps can be heard … and singing. It's in some language the Kitsune hasn't managed to pick up yet, though.

A small party of people can be seen coming down the street, headed this way. They're still in the shadows, and they probably can't hear the fox over their own singing. Their silhouettes indicate that they have particularly large ears, though …

As for hiding places, there are several. There are upended barrels, empty crates, piles of debris. Just down the street is an open hole into the sewers, though it would take a bit of dragging to get there. Darkside has plenty of places to hide unwanted bodies.

Grumbling a little to himself, Francisco positions the Zerda with an arm over his shoulder, and his own arm around her, and tries to make it look like she is drunk and unable to stand properly. After all, that's pretty common in Darkside too. The gray fox decides that heading for the set of nearest barrels is probably the best bet, though.

The group of Zerdas comes closer. Yes, they're Zerdas. "Rache!" calls out one of the Zerdas. "Ah! Rache, there you are! What happened to Ferdinand? Did he get angry and storm off again?" That voice sounds familiar. In fact, everything is seeming a lot more familiar now. It's Avram … the zolk merchant.

One of the other Zerdas in the party blows on a chitin kazoo. He looks like he has some sort of party hat on his head. Bad part of town to be celebrating in, at this time of night…

Francisco closes his eyes a moment in sadness. No… , he thinks to himself. Please, no.

Suddenly, just when it looked as if things couldn't get any worse – or better – the Zerda on Francisco's shoulder begins to stir. She moans softly.

The Kitsune almost double-takes at this, and most likely would have had these other Zerdas not been here. I guess I didn't get all of her life-energy then? he wonders to Amaranth.

The Zerda looks up to Francisco, and whispers, "Francisco … I have one more thing to ask of you… "

The Kitsune looks at the Zerda, cocking his head as if to say "what?" but also asks to her softly, "Amaranth?"

"Waste not, want not," whispers the Zerda. She smiles wickedly. "I suggest you run now." That said, she turns to face the Zerdas, and yells – in Rache's voice – "Father! Father, help me! STOP HIM, PLEASE!"

Thankfully, Francisco's gut injury seems to be miraculously healed … though his shirt still sports the tear and the bloodstains for his trouble.

It takes a few moments for the semi-intoxicated Zerdas to react … but they start running for Rache and her assailant. "Rache!" "AGRIRAMAAAAAA!" Hmm. Seems they didn't come unprepared into Darkside. One of the Zerdas has a curved chitin shortsword that flashes in the light.

Francisco pauses for a split-second just looking at Rache/Amaranth. He wants to ask "why?" but also cannot let Avram see him. He lets go of her, and heads for the most convenient means of escape: the open hole to the sewers. The Kitsune runs for it as fast he can.

Francisco echoes Amaranth's words to him as he runs to the hole, Waste not, want not.

Just as Avram runs up toward Francisco, Rache/Amaranth throws himself at the Zerda. "Oh, father!" She begins to fall, forcing another one of the Zerdas to stop in his pursuit to aid her. But that still leaves three angry fennecs in hot pursuit. Still, the delay has done its job. Before Francisco is an open sewer access. In this part of town, they don't even bother putting a barricade around it.

The Kitsune looks back at his pursuers briefly, and drops down the hole while starting the cantrip for his cloak, getting it ready for when he might need it.

The fox slips into the darkness unimpeded. No commentary from Amaranth. She's gone now.

Francisco is alone.

Even though he may not be followed anymore, the gray fox picks his way through sewer tunnel after sewer tunnel, until he feels that he's not being followed. After finding a ledge to sit down, Francisco buries his face in his paws and tries to sob for what he's just done. Yet that's all he can do right now… Try.