The sun sat high in the sky atop its lofty throne, glaring down at the pitiful mortals below. Watching as they toiled away, their lives short and meaningless. It had watched civilizations rise and fall less time than it took for it blink its eyes. But particularly, it's gaze was focused on one area in particular.
Making the air sizzle under it's intensity. Atop a risen seat, a blonde kitsune sat. One legged crossed over the other. An air of authority practically oozing off her skin, golden eyes placid but commanding. As though she was as lofty as the sun and with those nine tails waving lazily behind her, it did somewhat give a more divine appearance.
By her side, a multitude of strange and terrifying creatures sat. A massive giant covered in crimson skin and carrying a massive tetsubo etched with fine kanji that pulsed to an unseen rhythm. A women with skin as pale as snow, her ethereal beauty frozen and heart-stopping. A raccoon that laid atop it's extended belly, it's form shifting to balls of limbs to open maws filled with teeth snapping at the air. A masked individual with a massively bulbous nose stood perked on a single talon foot, crow like wings spread out to it's full span. A hound of flickering storms, eyes and fangs coming down with a flash of lightning and the rumbling of thunder. And finally, what looked to be a small old man with what looked to be an incredibly elongated head covered in liver-spots.
As well as that, twin lines of servants stood along the wall. Taking up a good half of the grand hall. Their appearance human, with a few irregularities. Noses too long, eyes too close together or limbs the wrong length. Small details that would probably be ignored the first time around, but would trigger that uncanny feel humans innately held to detect early shapeshifters.
"How long must I keep this up, Yasaka-sama?" The tanuki paused in it's constantly shifting form with a slight whine, rubbing at it's belly with a rather pitiful and put upon expression on it's animistic face. Looking more like a stuffed toy than a living being in that moment. A white already in hand. "I haven't been this sober in….decades! Surely, one sip won't hurt things?"
"Give me some." Marui nearly growled, massive mitt reaching over his freezing cold companion to grope at nothing but empty air as he tried and failed to snatch the comparably thimble sized jar. "I can't be sober during this, or I'll try to kill them. Just thinking of seeing those smug, small nosed, fragile boned bastards!"
The nearby servants, seeing their leaders usual antics, began to allow their shoulders to drop. Causing those odd forms to slowly drip out of existence. Limbs evening out, eyes becoming more realistic and those features began to fade.
A soft but audible claw tap made them instantly go back to the rather monstrous appearance they had before, eyes looking forward as they tried to avoid looking the direction of the openly scowling Yokai.
"Your squabbling is very unbecoming for Council Members." Xoruscolded, back straightening to appear akin to a bird of prey, looking down at them. Like he was dealing with particularly misbehaving children. "The slavers will be here any moment, we cannot show any form of weakness. Otherwise, how else are suppose to push for eighty percent?"
"Maybe allowing them a sip wouldn't be too much trouble." Nurarihyon stroked his chin, a light glint to his eyes. "While Yasaka-sama will need to stay composed, having a few of us act rambunctious through this meeting would be a show of force already. Of course, it is only a suggestion, Yasaka-sama. The final choice is yours."
The blonde kitsune didn't answer with words, her face blank and eyes still burrowing a hole right through those paper doors. Instead, she only waved her hand. All the signal they needed for the two to begin gulping down alcohol like it was water. Filling the air in it's sweet fragrance.
Soon, the Oni's and the tanuki's cheeks blushed visibly. Their mood instantly brightening, spirit lifting as they ate up the jealous being sent their way by the other councilmen.
Just in time too, as those doors were opened by a twin set of Yokai and a human. A human messenger came waltzing through like he owned the place. Wearing a ceremonial kimono and a black kanmuri atop his upturned head. A thin mustache, neatly trimmed quirked up as a sneer openly formed on his lips. Those beady black eyes roamed over the sizable force of Yokai with not a hint of fear anywhere in sight. Nor any levels of respect as he barely preformed a proper bow, no. To call it a bow would be far too generous, it was but a mere tilt of the head.
"Greetings Council of Anim-Yokai." There was no slip of the tongue, judging from the smirk on his face. "This slowly servant is undersigning to give his name, for I am here to announce the arrival of our Five Principal Clans expedition. Led by my younger mistress, Doumon Genbu!"
With that, the messenger turned and bowed a full ninety degree to the door. Holding his posture as a young girl looking no older than Kunou and frankly, no bigger either. With short silver hair that had a single strand somehow sticking out and dangling in-front of and large purple eyes that looked on with a powerful but polite expression. Wearing a what looked to be a bright yellow rain coat, a pure white scarf, ear muffs and a turtle like backpack on. Looking more like a child ready to play in the cold rain, odd given how hot the day was.
Behind her, a multitude of priests and priestess followed. Each wearing professional and ceremonial attire that only made their leader look more out of place. But despite this, they didn't look sheepish or embarrassed, in fact, most of them openly sized up the council like they were in a grocery store.
Just standing the room with each other caused the tension in the room to spike. Ancient creatures dredging up memories of similarly dressed priests hunting them out of their mountains and homes, the amount of bloodshed they enacted. Everything bubbled up to the surface. The servants broke first, their forms shifting to something more feral and demonic. Necks elongating and fangs extending.
And seeing this, charms held openly at the priests waist began to glow ominously. Flickering of azure colored Ki, like that of a flame, sparked to life across them. Both sides were more than ready to throw down, alliances be damned.
Just as the tension grew to an unprecedented level, the unthinkable happened.
"I, Doumon Genbu, heir to the Doumon Clan," The girl, bowed deeply to the council. Silver hair low. Her tone soft but it was like they'd been hit by a silencing spell. "And acting liaison of the Five Principal Clans, wish to extend our greetings to you, Yasaka-sama. Leader of the Yokai Faction."