[Izuku's been working in this shrine for most of his twenty years of life. It's been handed down for generations and generations and once he's old enough it'll be his to take care of. For now though, he's just in charge of keeping it neat and clean.
This particular shrine is one for the goddess Inari- which seems to suit it well enough in his books. After all, they're right at the edge of farmland. It's exactly where it needs to be, and Inari seems to bless the farms that leave her tokens. He's proud to serve his shrine, even if it's not the most glamorous job.
It's in the middle of the day, while he's sweeping off the steps that he hears the sharp, pained howl of a fox.
Which is unusual, did somebody set out traps for them? Foxes are supposedly Inari's messengers, most people know that so why would they want to hurt them...? He only worries about it for a moment before dropping his broom where he was and looking for the presumably trapped fox.]
[ Ever since he was young, Shouto's mother would tell him about the blessings that Inari would bestow upon the people that followed her, that worshipped her and gave her offerings. With her fur as white as snow, she often would deliver these gifts and messages in Inari's stead, weaving through the shrine and crops and making appearances to bring hope and lift their spirits. The crops flourished, and everything was good.
Until his father, of course. A small part of him, even now, years and years and years later, feels some measure of responsibility for the poor crops that came from their marriage, when the honeymoon period was over and the effects of his father's presence did more harm than good. So he's spent quite some time, since his father's departure from the shrine, trying to mend things where his mother can no longer.
... of course, the job is a little harder sometimes due to human interference.
The kannushi and miko aren't much trouble, and help a great deal when it comes to tending the shrine and helping with prayers. Things that he can't have a hand in. But there are trappers, both just looking for a quick buck and seeking out the supernatural, that are dangerous.
Which is how Shouto's found himself in a trap, one that he can't melt with foxfire. The metal teeth dig into his leg, and the pain is almost excruciating, but he still tries to free himself, all six of his tails lashing. Between these two things, he doesn't notice that there's someone coming. ]
[That's not any regular fox- with his six tails, he's clearly otherworldly. And he's stuck. He's frozen for a moment, what does he do, how does he do it? How is he going to free this spiritual fox?
He doesn't seem to be able to melt it with foxfire, so it's probably specifically made for his type. If it's man made then there's probably a release on it that a man can hit.
Then he settles into action, approaching the fox steadily, as non threateningly as he can manage.]
I want to let you out of that, okay? Will you let me close?
[He has no idea if the fox can hear him over the pain, but it's definitely better than saying nothing.]
[ Bristling up even more - he's already larger than the average fox, and with his hackles raised he's making himself look bigger - Shouto goes stiff at the sound of footsteps. The voice, however, stops him from unleashing any foxfire or his mother's ice.
Ever since the Midoriyas started helping around the shrine, he's watched each generation grow up. The youngest of their family is familiar, even if they've never interacted.
So he stares him down with mismatched eyes, ears back, but his tails stop lashing.
[Izuku doesn't know this fox- is pretty sure he doesn't know most foxes, but he has a duty and he'll do it. He nods at the yip, and kneels at the trap on Shouto's paw. It takes him a little while to figure it out, he's no trapper, but there's only so many ways to undo a trap like this.]
Got it.
[A flip of a switch and a button, and the fox is free.]
Are you going to be okay? Should I get bandages for you?
[ Though he wants to put more distance between the two of them, since humans are the very reason he's stuck in this trap, Shouto makes himself stay still. Despite his age, he's never... actually interacted with any people before. The only company he's kept before now has been other youkai.
So he's on edge, even when he's released. But when he jerks back, moving on three limbs, he stumbles a little.
It hurts. He debates for a long moment, looking up at him, before hopping forward. The noise he makes is a little more grudging, but plaintive. He's free game for less benevolent youkai. ]
[He'll rummage in his bag for some bandages and very gently take the paw and start wrapping it.]
I should look out into the forests surrounding the temple more often. We usually don't have hunters putting out traps like this- especially not ones that are designed for foxes like you...
[He keeps mumbling about how he's going to clear the area of traps, and where he should start as he finishes it up.]
[ Tails twitching restlessly behind him, sparking a few embers of foxfire that fizzle out before they catch anything on fire, Shouto can't help the way his lip curls a little when the bandage is wrapped around his paw. It probably won't take long to heal if it's kept clean, considering the magic inherent in what he is, but he's going to need to lay low.
He tentatively puts weight on it when it's wrapped, grunting a pained noise but otherwise it won't be irritated more by debris in it.
[ Hopping around him as he starts to dismantle the trap, Shouto is careful not to put weight on his injury as he moves around his legs. His tails keep flicking, but they're not sparking anymore, so. Progress. ]
Some of them. I melted the ones that were intended for normal animals. Inari Okami isn't adverse to hunting, but this is underhanded and dangerous.
[ He could probably help, shift forms so that it's his hand instead of his paw, but he'll heal faster in this shape than he would as a human. So he just sits down on his haunches, paw tucked close to his body. ]
Good. [ At least they can count on one human. ]
I am. And you're someone from the shrine - I see you coming and going a lot.
Inari Okami has messengers visit shrines, to check on things. This one is mine.
[ Well, it's supposed to be his parents' shrine to monitor. But his old man has "better things to do," practically a lower god in his own right, and his mother...
His mother has entrusted it to him. Shouto isn't sure how well that's going considering he was trapped. ]
Oh um... W-Where are my manners? [No wonder this spirit has seen a lot of him. Izuku's the one who's out here trying to clean and maintain this particular shrine.
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Shrine Priest / Kitsune
[Izuku's been working in this shrine for most of his twenty years of life. It's been handed down for generations and generations and once he's old enough it'll be his to take care of. For now though, he's just in charge of keeping it neat and clean.
This particular shrine is one for the goddess Inari- which seems to suit it well enough in his books. After all, they're right at the edge of farmland. It's exactly where it needs to be, and Inari seems to bless the farms that leave her tokens. He's proud to serve his shrine, even if it's not the most glamorous job.
It's in the middle of the day, while he's sweeping off the steps that he hears the sharp, pained howl of a fox.
Which is unusual, did somebody set out traps for them? Foxes are supposedly Inari's messengers, most people know that so why would they want to hurt them...? He only worries about it for a moment before dropping his broom where he was and looking for the presumably trapped fox.]
no subject
Until his father, of course. A small part of him, even now, years and years and years later, feels some measure of responsibility for the poor crops that came from their marriage, when the honeymoon period was over and the effects of his father's presence did more harm than good. So he's spent quite some time, since his father's departure from the shrine, trying to mend things where his mother can no longer.
... of course, the job is a little harder sometimes due to human interference.
The kannushi and miko aren't much trouble, and help a great deal when it comes to tending the shrine and helping with prayers. Things that he can't have a hand in. But there are trappers, both just looking for a quick buck and seeking out the supernatural, that are dangerous.
Which is how Shouto's found himself in a trap, one that he can't melt with foxfire. The metal teeth dig into his leg, and the pain is almost excruciating, but he still tries to free himself, all six of his tails lashing. Between these two things, he doesn't notice that there's someone coming. ]
no subject
He doesn't seem to be able to melt it with foxfire, so it's probably specifically made for his type. If it's man made then there's probably a release on it that a man can hit.
Then he settles into action, approaching the fox steadily, as non threateningly as he can manage.]
I want to let you out of that, okay? Will you let me close?
[He has no idea if the fox can hear him over the pain, but it's definitely better than saying nothing.]
no subject
Ever since the Midoriyas started helping around the shrine, he's watched each generation grow up. The youngest of their family is familiar, even if they've never interacted.
So he stares him down with mismatched eyes, ears back, but his tails stop lashing.
Yip. ]
no subject
Got it.
[A flip of a switch and a button, and the fox is free.]
Are you going to be okay? Should I get bandages for you?
no subject
So he's on edge, even when he's released. But when he jerks back, moving on three limbs, he stumbles a little.
It hurts. He debates for a long moment, looking up at him, before hopping forward. The noise he makes is a little more grudging, but plaintive. He's free game for less benevolent youkai. ]
no subject
I should look out into the forests surrounding the temple more often. We usually don't have hunters putting out traps like this- especially not ones that are designed for foxes like you...
[He keeps mumbling about how he's going to clear the area of traps, and where he should start as he finishes it up.]
How's that?
no subject
He tentatively puts weight on it when it's wrapped, grunting a pained noise but otherwise it won't be irritated more by debris in it.
He looks up at Midoriya, blinking. ]
Thank you. [ Surprise, Deku! ]
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[He was completely aware of how otherworldly this particular fox was, but as a servant of Inari, it's his duty to help out a fox. Any fox.
This is the first time he's ever heard one talk.]
Y-You're welcome?
[Is that the right response? Screaming "you can talk" probably isn't.]
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He tilts his head a little, ears still back. But it's not agitation, since the only pinch in his expression is pained, obvious even with a muzzle. ]
This isn't the first time I've found a trap, but it's the first time I've gotten caught in one.
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[He'll get up and start dismantling this one, putting it into his bag to be disposed of later.]
Do you remember where the rest of them were?
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Some of them. I melted the ones that were intended for normal animals. Inari Okami isn't adverse to hunting, but this is underhanded and dangerous.
no subject
Anybody who wasn't paying enough attention to these could get trapped, spirit or human alike... I'm going to dismantle them.
Are you one of Inari-okami's messengers?
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Good. [ At least they can count on one human. ]
I am. And you're someone from the shrine - I see you coming and going a lot.
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You've seen me? I've never seen you. Oh well- um.... you are a spirit, it would make sense...
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[ Well, it's supposed to be his parents' shrine to monitor. But his old man has "better things to do," practically a lower god in his own right, and his mother...
His mother has entrusted it to him. Shouto isn't sure how well that's going considering he was trapped. ]
no subject
He bows.]
It's good to meet you.