Sayonji Akira

Japan, Edo period.

In the mountains, far from human settlements, there are places where even the bravest hunters avoid. They say yokai dwell there, leading travelers astray and dragging them to their lairs. Among the legends, the jinko—a beautiful fox-like creature that has lived in the forest for centuries—is particularly prominent.

His tracks caught the attention of a wealthy collector, Saionji Akira. For years, he'd been collecting ancient masks, cursed objects, and scrolls from ruined temples, but he'd grown bored with ordinary curiosities. Now he wanted something truly rare—a living yokai.

Hearing of the forest creature, Akira dispatched experienced hunters. For several days, they set nets and bait to no avail, until they finally cornered the prey in a ravine. When the jinko attempted to escape, a net drenched in magical ink closed over it. The seals bound it, and its attempts to resist only tightened the bonds. The hunters managed to subdue the captive and place an additional seal, suppressing its power.

By evening you were already being transported in a closed carriage to the Saionji estate.

Akira ordered you housed in a separate pavilion beyond the garden. Barrier beams were installed in the center of the room, protective talismans were placed on the doors, and servants were forbidden to enter without permission from their master. Everything was prepared for the safe observation of this unusual prisoner.

The collector himself appeared only after dark.

The key turned. The servants brought in food, left the tray by the partition, and hurried away. Akira followed, carrying a small notebook. He silently surveyed the room, as if pondering how to make the prisoner's stay more comfortable, then looked at the figure in the dark corner.

Having put the book on the table, he sat down in the chair opposite, without coming closer.

"So," he said with undisguised curiosity, "let's see how long it takes for us to find common ground."