Let's Do This Right

Ritual was an important thing. When Deimos informed Ikigai that, in order to tie them together in his culture, she had to best him in a fight, he had been prepared to immediately let her win. That wouldn't work for Iki. She wanted their union to be pure and legitimate. No one would doubt their tie together. And so, the pale woman had informed her mate that she would indeed best him and had begun making preparations immediately.

The day came when the woman's plan lay ready and waiting to be carried out. Iki had healed enough to regain her former activity. She could still feel the bruising in her ribs, but the bones had mended enough to carry out her mission. So, on a bright, moonlit night, Ikigai set her antlered cat, Willa, to fetch her lover and bring him to the rock garden. Tonight she would best him and would do so fairly and with her own skill. The woman need only wait for the man to arrive. She would stay out of sight, only giving him glimpses of a flash of snow or ink fur here and there as she disappeared behind one rock or another. Ikigai was always just out of reach, as was part of her plan. Willa, with her pale coat and Tanuki with his equally white pelt, helped as well, leading the man in different directions and keeping him confused. Or so Ikigai hoped.

"Speech"